Customers Say That Self-Proclaimed “Pet Store to the Stars” Is Selling Sick Animals
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. —The Humane Society of the United States filed suit today against a notorious south Florida puppy dealer known as "Wizard of Claws." The suit alleges that Wizard of Claws defrauds its customers by misrepresenting the origin of the puppies sold, and by selling puppy mill dogs that suffer from a wide array of health problems, including contagious diseases and genetic disorders. The lawsuit, originally initiated by several individual consumers who have now been joined by The HSUS, seeks to stop Wizard of Claws from using misleading sales tactics.
"It appears that Wizard of Claws is using dishonest, underhanded sales tactics to dupe its customers into supporting the cruel trade in puppy mill dogs," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "Thanks to the Internet, this operation is distributing puppy mill dogs not just in southern Florida, but all over the country. Wizard of Claws is deceiving consumers and contributing to the pet overpopulation problem."
Although Wizard of Claws portrays itself as a boutique "breeder network" catering to the stars, the lawsuit alleges that the store tells its customers that its dogs are from a "few select breeders" when in fact many of the dogs come from large scale out of state commercial breeding operations, commonly known as "puppy mills."
Puppy mills are notorious for breeding dogs too frequently, providing inadequate veterinary care and shelter, and not properly socializing the animals. Dogs kept for breeding at puppy mills live their entire lives in small cages and they are often exposed to the elements. When their breeding productivity drops, these dogs are typically killed or sold at auction to other puppy mill operators. The parents of the pet store puppy have little chance of ever becoming part of a family. Under these deficient conditions, puppy mill puppies often suffer from an array of acute health problems, and the suffering of animals is compounded by the genetically borne diseases that result from poor breeding practices.
"Puppy mills create misery for dogs and pain for the unwitting purchasers of the animals, and they indirectly deny suitable homes for animals in need," adds Pacelle. "There are millions of healthy, adoptable animals available from shelters and breed rescue organizations."
The plaintiffs are asking for a court order prohibiting Wizard of Claws from continuing to engage in deceptive business practices, and for other relief for the individuals deceived by Wizard of Claws' unfair business practices.
For more information on The HSUS's efforts to crack down on puppy mills nationwide, go to www.stoppuppymills.org
-30-
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at hsus.org.
