Six puppies sold with illnesses

at local pet store, one hospitalized

Families have nowhere to turn without state or local regulatory oversight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2, 2018

CONTACT: Pam Sordyl, (734) 718-7100 or pamsordyl@gmail.com

Grandville, Mi – Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan reviewed paperwork from puppy buyers who purchased ill puppies from The Barking Boutique (2939 Wilson Ave. SW, Grandville, MI). The puppies were diagnosed with a wide range of illnesses shortly after purchase including: giardia, kennel cough, pneumonia, hypoglycemia, and an ear infection.

The families have turned to a local law firm to seek damages. One puppy buyer, Kate Mead, also turned to social media to warn families:

“I bought him from the Barking Boutique in Grandville on October 19th. ..... I had no idea how horrible this place was until he started vomiting two days later and couldn’t stand on his own. He needed to be hospitalized for four days after they diagnosed pneumonia. He was only 2 lbs and had to also fight an infection causing him to be anemic! The store won’t cover any anything! “

“Grandville is a buyer beware city as the state dropped the Pet Shop Program ten years ago and the county does not license or inspect pet stores as a safety net” stated Pam Sordyl, founder of Puppy Mill Awareness. “The only regulatory oversight the state provides is to ensure animals are properly vaccinated during importation into the state, yet the store continues to import animals without proper vaccinations even after an official warning letter was sent by the state last year.”

Since the warning letter from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), 22 more importation health certificates were rejected by the state (affecting 46 puppies). Two of these puppies were reported to be sold with serious illnesses.

On November 27, 2018 the MDARD denied records including importation certificates related to The Barking Boutique stating that their release would interfere with an investigation. The records request was submitted by Puppy Mill Awareness after six families reported buying sick puppies from the store between February – October 2018.

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

“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.

“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 lawsuits 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.” Sordyl.

Within the first fifteen months of operation The Barking Boutique imported over 580 puppies from Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Indiana using multiple brokers, transporters and 82 different breeders making them high volume puppy store. Many of the store’s breeders had violations to the Animal Welfare Act.

Local animal advocates are urging city officials to end the retail sale of puppies and protect families from irresponsible puppy brokers. “Cities should promote humane business models and encourage families to adopt from their local shelter or Michigan Certified foster-based animal rescue organization - many of whom specialize in specific breeds.” Sordyl

Learn more about Puppy Mill Awareness.

Links to related stories:

The Barking Boutique Breeder Information - USDA Breeder Violations & Photos https://thebarkingboutique.blogspot.com/2017/12/usda-breeder-violations-photos.html

Warning Letter sent to The Barking Boutique

https://thebarkingboutique.blogspot.com/2018/01/warning-letter-sent-to-barking-boutique.html

Bissell Pet Foundation secretly buys puppies from closed pet store

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/07/bissell_foundation_secretly_bu.html

6 comments:

Kelley IrishDecember 2, 2018 at 1:57 PM
There are groups that protest outside the store and many articles have been written. People need to adopt and not shop! This store should be closed Shame ion Granville City counsel
UnknownDecember 3, 2018 at 3:33 AM
LIES.

You force fed your dog like they TOLD you NOT to do giving the dog the pneumonia and they anemia is common for dogs that were DESIGNED to be the size of a damn big toe.

This whole article is wack. You people that follow this are sheep!!
BanishpupmillsDecember 3, 2018 at 9:51 PM
Are you part owner in this puppy mill store or one of the puppy mill breeders?!?!? Your pathetic attempt to blame the buyers of “force feeding” these puppies and causing the puppies illnesses is ridiculous!!! Anemia is not caused by the size of the puppy, it’s caused by puppies being fed poor diets or with severe hookworm infections you ignorant troll!!!
baronraeDecember 4, 2018 at 9:20 AM
I got a dog from the Kalamazoo animal shelter that was on deaths door. The basically made me take her on the spot (which is super strange) and had me make an appointment right there on their phone for the vet the next morning. So they knew she was sick. The next morning, I had to actually pick up this pitbull and carry her to the car to take her to the vet. She had 5 kinds of worms and later I found out she was pregnant! When I called them about it to warn them how sick she was, they said "all of them are sick, but we don't want to treat them because if we have to put them down it will be wasting money". So, the next dog I got I bought from a private owner. Moral of the story is animals can be mistreated and sick by anyone. When I was waiting outside next to my car for her turn, a dog-catcher came by to drop off a dog to the vet. He actually started to give me crap about her condition, until I told him I got her that way from THEM! Then he Shut up and walked away.