Extra Special Pets & Animals
Nov 20, 2008 10:58 pm US/Central
Puppy Mill Investigation Leads To 2 MN Pet Stores
(WCCO)
The Humane Society of the United States alleges a popular pet store has been using puppy mills as its supplier.
For the past eight months, Human Society investigators have been looking into Petland, the nation's largest chain of pet stores that sells puppies. They operate two pet stores in Minnesota -- one in Shakopee and the other in St. Paul. The Shakopee store was one of the 21 stores investigators visited. They also checked into 35 breeders across the country linked to Petland stores.
At many of those breeders, investigators found puppies living in filthy, barren cages reeking of urine, lack of veterinarians, as well as inadequate care and socialization.
"The claims that Petland makes, that they establish the highest care possible for their animals, in simply not true. It's misleading to its customers and it's irresponsible for a corporation," said Howard Goldman, Regional Director for the Central States of the Humane Society.
The Humane Society said many of the Petland puppies are not supplied directly from breeders, but rather "middlemen" who buy from puppy mills. They also found some of Petland's puppies are ordered through a pet auction Web site that does not allow for them to check into the background of the breeders.
Many of the Petland store owners said their breeders were licensed by the USDA. The Humane Society called the USDA regulations minimal and found serious violations with some of the breeders.
In Minnesota, investigators looked into breeders in Little Falls, New York Mills and Cushing. They also checked out the Petland store in Shakopee.
Jeff Latko, a manager at the Shakopee store, said the owners visit all of their breeders and have never bought from any of the ones under investigation.
In a statement, Petland called the investigation sensationalism released during the holidays when it says the Humane Society is trying to raise money. They said they "do not support substandard breeding facilities."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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