Warning Letter sent to The Barking Boutique

State Investigates Illegal Puppy Importation and Brokers

Warning Letter sent to The Barking Boutique (Grandville, MI)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 29, 2017

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

Grandville, Mi – On November 28, 2017, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) sent an official Warning Letter to The Barking Boutique (2939 Wilson Ave SW Suite 104, Grandville, MI) after conducting two canine importation investigations. The department found that the store had failed to acquire veterinary certificates certifying that the puppies were properly vaccinated. The state also notified the USDA that the store was working with an unlicensed broker.

During the store’s grand opening, investigators from Kent County Animal Control found a lethargic dog not receiving medical attention and last year the Bissell Pet Foundation discovered that puppies sold from the Barking Boutique were afflicted with a range of maladies, including coccidia, upper respiratory infections, Giardia, a parasite illness that causes diarrhea, and a case of luxating patellas, a joint issue common in small breeds.

In addition to illegal imports and sick animals, a July inspection by the state of Michigan uncovered that The Barking Boutique has been purchasing puppies from John Stottele, the owner of The Family Puppy, another Michigan pet store. Stottle does not have a USDA license to operate as a broker. Mr. Boelkes, who owns The Barking Boutique, stated he does not have any interaction with these out of state breeders. This means the store was not personally verifying that they meet any animal welfare standards as claimed on the store’s website. 

The results of these three investigations have brought to light a serious and persistent problem with The Barking Boutique: there is a lack of veterinary oversight.

Public Act 287 states that, “Dogs and cats cannot be imported to a pet shop unless they are accompanied with an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (ICVI) signed by an accredited veterinarian. Documentation of the animal’s medications and vaccinations are to appear on all copies of the certificate.” 

Link to Animal Industry Act MCL 287.720 Sec 20 (1)(e) http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-287-720

Importing dogs without documentation of required vaccinations is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine not less than $300 or imprisonment of not less than 30 days.

The state is expecting the store to refuse to purchase animals that do not have the required information on the certificates. The Warning Letter states “Subsequent violations may result in a stronger regulatory action by the MDARD.”

Since the store’s Grandville opening in April, 73 of the 110 certificates collected by the state were missing the required vaccinations including distemper, adenovirus-2 and parvovirus. This shortcoming applied to 111 puppies.

The Barking Boutique has imported over 180 puppies from Missouri, Iowa and Indiana using multiple brokers and transporters from over 30 different breeders making them high volume puppy store.

According to Pam Sordyl, Founder of Puppy Mill Awareness – Michigan, “It appears the breeder’s veterinarians are not administering the vaccinations and therefore not including them on the transport certificates. Veterinarians are often seen as accomplices in puppy mill investigations because they are neglecting their due diligence to vaccinate these animals yet they are signing off on their health.”

Sordyl added, ”If the breeders are administering their own vaccinations, it is unclear if they are following the American Animal Hospital Association Guidelines or any guidelines for timing, dosage, or storage. Without the oversight of a veterinarian, the puppies could be over medicated, vaccinated too early or if not stored properly, the vaccination could be ineffective.”

 “Veterinarians have an obligation to promote the health and well-being of the animals under their care, and unfortunately, some of them choose to turn a blind eye to the conditions faced by puppy mill puppies. If state inspections continue to turn up cases of veterinary neglect, veterinarians will be held just as accountable as pet stores, breeders, and brokers in the economy of neglect that results from puppy mills.”

“Families looking to purchase a new puppy from The Barking Boutique should be asking the store for the vaccination history.”

Learn more about Puppy Mill Awareness

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

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If you purchased a sick puppy, had warranty issues, genetic problems, were sold the wrong breed, discovered the puppy is not a purebred or were misled by the financing package, please contact Pam Sordyl at 734-718-7100.