Photographer files complaint

Photo Credit: Jennifer Waters (Grumpy Pups Pet Photography)

Undercover photographer hired for controversial puppy store’s pre-opening, files complaint

Animal Control Officers find untreated lethargic puppy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2017

CONTACT: Pam Sordyl, (734) 718-7100 or pmamichinfo@yahoo.com

Grandville, Mi – On April 27, 2017, Kent County Animal Control Officers responded to a complaint regarding an alleged sick puppy at The Barking Boutique puppy store which was hosting their grand opening event. The officers reported “The dog appeared to be lethargic and had a high temperature.”

According to the Kent County Cruelty Complaint Report obtained by Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan, a complaint was filed, “Caller states that a brown Newfoundland pup is isolated from the other dogs and has signs of ocular and nasal discharge. Caller stated to have witness [sic] employees handling ill pup and then handling other pups.”

The officers spoke with the store manager who stated “they did have a Newfoundland puppy in the back that was not feeling well.” The shop owner, David Boelkes, offered the veterinary information on the puppy to the officers that indicated the puppy had vaccines in Iowa, but had not received any medical thus far in Michigan.

“Any dog, and especially a puppy, that is lethargic and feverish needs prompt veterinary attention” said Pam Sordyl, Founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan.

Shortly after the store’s preview Grand Opening event the brown Newfoundland puppy was featured on all pages of the store’s new website under the “Need Financing?” button. The puppy was also advertised for sale on May 3, 2017 on the store’s “Our Puppies” website page.

   

During the Kent County Animal Control’s welfare inspection, the defendant David Boelkes stated “they were setting up an isolation area where dogs could be kept in case of illness, but it was not finished.” The officers reported “the area appeared to be a large closet with stacked crates and advised the store not to stack puppies in the crates since they defecate on each other.”

“It was highly inappropriate to have populated the new pet store with puppies before an adequately constructed and ventilated isolation ward was available” Sordyl.   

“It is unclear if this puppy received adequate veterinary care before sale and I am deeply concerned about future shipments of puppies not being properly quarantined after arriving into the state. The store should be isolating all puppies for at least 10 days to determine if they are harboring diseases” Sordyl.

“This store has a history of selling sick animals in the Grand Rapids area and families should be warned that quick wellness checks or health certificates do not guarantee they will be purchasing a healthy pet” Sordyl.

On July 12, 2016 the Bissell Pet Foundation secretly purchased puppies from pet store.

“Bissell said the puppies were diagnosed with a variety of maladies, including coccidia, upper respiratory infections, Giardia, a parasite illness that causes diarrhea, and in one case of luxating patellas, a joint issue common in small breeds. Most were disclosed by Barking Boutique when the puppies were sold. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/07/bissell_foundation_secretly_bu.html

Learn more about Puppy Mill Awareness

https://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/

For more information, or to arrange an interview with a Puppy Mill Awareness member, please contact Pam Sordyl at 734-718-7100 or pmamichinfo@yahoo.com. 

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