October 4, 2014 Version 11 - Meetupfiles.meetup.com/1258100/Macomb County Pet Store Supplier Photos.pdfexceeded 87 degrees inside the shelter. Dogs ... enclosures, as well as dust,

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October 4, 2014 Version 11

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Problems with pet store suppliers

Supplier to The Family Puppy formally located in the Macomb Mall, in

Roseville.

Marlin Bontrager

2084 W 1150 N

Rome City, IN 46784

Marlin Bontrager was The Family Puppy’s

largest puppy supplier from 2009 to 2012.

Bontrager had 177 adult dogs in June 2012

and his kennel was cited for direct violations,

including not seeking veterinary care for a sick

puppy and recorded temperatures that

exceeded 87 degrees inside the shelter. Dogs

were “heavily panting and puppies were

stretched out on the wire floor trying to stay

cool.” Bontrager was cited for six more

violations involving dogs with painful eye

problems without veterinary care, excessive

accumulated feces that was sitting so long

under the dogs’ wire floor that beetle shells

were found and clogged drains causing strong

odors. Bontrager has a history of violations

going back to 2008 for substandard housing,

shelter, primary enclosures, cleanliness,

feeding and vet care.

USDA Inventory : 95-177 Adult Dogs

Photo Credit: Noble Cty Zoning

Photo Credit: USDA 2012


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Supplier to The Family Puppy formally located in the Macomb

Mall, in Roseville.

Verlyn, Weslyn, Deborah Weaver

6910 W. 100 S.

Topeka, IN 46571


Verlyn and Deborah Weaver were a primary supplier to The Family Puppy’s primary from 2009 to

2012. The Weavers were cited for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including for

inadequate veterinary care, yet the store continued to work with this supplier. Weaver was cited by

the USDA veterinarian in 2011 for a pregnant dog with a buildup of a thick, dark crust on her teeth

and for dogs not receiving proper dental care.

USDA Inventory: 24-45 Adult Dogs

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Mall, in Roseville.

Lavern Whetstone

Outback Enterprises

14304 County Road 22

Goshen, IN

Photo Credit: Elkhart Cty Zoning

Lavern Whetstone was a primary supplier to The Family Puppy from 2008 to 2012. Whetstone was

cited in 2010 for not seeking veterinary care for an animal that was in pain and suffering. That year,

Whetstone shipped over 100 dogs to The Family Puppy. Once told by the federal inspector to seek

veterinary care for a dog, the kennel had a “non-professional” remove the membrane of a dog with

cherry eyes. The store continued to work with this breeder despite continued citations for non-

compliance.

USDA Inventory: 40 Adult Dogs

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Mall, in Roseville.

Leroy Hochstetler

1575 N. 1000 N

Shipshewana, IN 46565


The Family Puppy added Leroy Hochstetler as a new supplier in 2012. On August 13, 2012, a female

miniature pinscher puppy was found with very blue, hazy eyes and a yellow discharge from her

eyes. The licensee had not contacted the attending veterinarian to evaluate the condition nor

recommend a treatment plan. Failure to consult the veterinarian and provide appropriate care

resulted in extended suffering for the puppy.

USDA Inventory: 15-22 Adult Dogs

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Supplier to The Little Pet Shop in Utica.

Lisa Cox

P.O. Box 162

Hodgen, OK

Le Flore County


Lisa Cox (Hodgen, OK) shipped two Dachshunds to the Little Pet Shop (Utica) via Pinnacle Pet broker. The

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports show that this kennel has 50 to 66

adult dogs.

# of Adult Dogs: 50-66

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Bobby Owens

740 E Blackjack Rd.

Atoka, OK

Black Jack Kennel

Atoka County

Photo Credit: USDA

The Black Jack Kennel (Atoka, OK) shipped a yellow lab puppy to The Little Pet Shop (Utica) via the

Pinnacle Pets broker in 2014. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports

show that this kennel has between 19 and 25 adult dogs. Citations include: dangerous enclosures, junk

near enclosures and excessive brown material on the dogs’ teeth.


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Bill and Mona Paulsen

P.O. BOX 281

Washburn, MO

Prairieview Kennel

County: Barry

Photo Credit: USDA

The Paulsens (Washburn, MO) shipped a Gold Morkie puppy with Grade 1 Luxating Patella to The Little

Pet Shop (Utica) via the Pinnacle Pets broker in 2014. It is unclear if this defect was disclosed to the

public. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports show that this kennel has

between 45 and 76 adult dogs. Citations include: long toenails and a buildup of grime and feces.


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Daniel Kuehne

16649 Nystrom Ave.

Reading, MN

Photo Credit: USDA

Daniel Kuehne (Reading, MN) shipped a yorkie/bichon and maltese/bichon to The Little Pet Shop via

Fulton Enterprises broker in 2014. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports

show that kennel has between 232 and 365 adult dogs and has been cited for repeat and DIRECT

violations of the Animal Welfare Act.


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Mark Wehling

526 Volney Rd.

Monona, IA

North Winds Kennel

Clayton County

Photo Credit: USDA

Mark Wehling (Monona, IA) shipped a Pomeranian puppy to the Little Pet Shop (Utica) via the broker

Fulton Enterprise in 2014. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports show

that this kennel had between 5 and 40 adult dogs—however, the kennel’s license had been cancelled in

2012.


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Gina and Noland Boer

3271 Coolidge Ave

Rock Valley, IA

Den Boer Kennel

Photo Credit: USDA

Gina Boer (Rock Valley, Iowa) shipped a Havanese/Pomeranian mix puppy to The Little Pet Shop via the

Pinnacle broker in 2014. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports show

Boer was cited for REPEAT violations related to barns with no insulation, no heat, no cooling and no

shelter structures for the dogs. The barn has holes in the roof where the rain can easily come through and

reach the dogs. There was a buildup of old food and excreta underneath the grated floors of the

enclosures, as well as dust, dirt and a buildup of grime on the enclosures’ light fixtures and objects.


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Cheryl Gray

11221 Highland Rd .

Havana, AR

Cedar Creek Yorkies

Photo Credit: USDA

Cheryl Gray (Havana, AR) shipped a Biewer Yorkie to the Little Pet Shop (Utica) via Pinnacle Pet broker in

2014. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports show that this kennel has

between 54 and 63 adult dogs with many violations: 23 beagles do not have protection from the

elements; missing wind/rain breaks; a mother cat, “Curly-Q,” had drainage from both eyes, one of her

kittens was small with eyes closed and not thriving, and the kennel did not have any written

documentation that the kitten was being evaluated by a veterinarian; the kennel was housing short

hair/hairless cats outdoors; a puppy’s feet were dangling through the raised flooring; there was an

accumulation of hair and waste materials in the primary enclosures, affecting 66 adult dogs.


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Anita Gustin

941 C R 215

Berryville, AR

Kings River Kennel

Photo Credit: USDA

Anita Gustin (Berryville, AR) shipped a Malti-poo to The Little Pet Shop in Utica via the Pinnacle Pets

broker in 2014. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports show that this kennel

has between 255 and 265 adult dogs. Citations include: two Italian Greyhounds do not have enough head

space to move around and the out buildings with wire floors have broken wires.


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Supplier to “Pets and More” in Lenox.

Clearwater Kennels (former owner of Happy Tails Kennel)

24302 Hwy 10

Cushing, MN

Photo Credit: Companion Animal Protection Society

Interstate Health Certificates indicate that Pets and More has annually purchased and received a high

volume of dogs from Clearwater Kennel. Since 2010 Deleo has imported 2,066 puppies (approximately 60

per month). Clearwater’s USDA inspection report earlier this year included 4 indirect violations.

According to the nonprofit advocacy group Animal Folks MN, this facility is the largest breeder/broker in

Minnesota with violations covering several years. The February 2014 violations included a strong

ammonia (urine) odor, rodent feces near the dogs’ food, and excessive dog feces in the enclosures that

left “limited areas for the dogs to walk or stand without coming into contact” with their own wastes.

Listed on the HSUS report 101 Puppy Mills in 2013 and 2014.

# of Adult Dogs: 700 adult dogs and 108 pups

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Dog Buyers Beware: Heartbreak Comes With Sale of Unhealthy Pets Metro stores sell stock from breeders cited for violations By STEVE NEAVLING FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER 7/12/2006 The moment she laid eyes on them, Jennifer Moodie fell in love. But a day after she paid $900 for two Yorkshire terrier pups at a Utica pet shop, one went into seizures. The pup, named Jasper, spent the next four days attached to IVs at a vet's office and died in Moodie's arms within two hours of coming home. "His blood-sugar was so low that he had brain damage," said Moodie, 25, of Northville. Moodie sued Utica Pet Supply, where she bought the dogs, and received her money back for Jasper in an out-of-court settlement. The other pup, Kaylie, spent her first few months coughing and vomiting before bouncing back.

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Those dogs were among thousands shipped to metro Detroit pet stores in recent years from large out-of-state breeders, many of which have been repeatedly cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for raising puppies in substandard conditions. Veterinarians critical of large breeders say puppies raised by them - like Moodie's - are often inbred and housed in squalid, close quarters that expose them to genetic diseases, parasites and deadly viruses that may not surface for years. Most dogs from large facilities go through life without any reported health or behavioral problems, but those with problems can leave pet owners with hefty vet bills - not to mention the heartache of seeing their dog die or become debilitated at an early age. That happens often enough that some animal lovers now refuse to buy from pet stores, saying the risk of getting a dog from a troubled breeder is too great and consumer protections too weak. Store owners, however, defend getting dogs from breeders. Some say reports of unhealthy conditions at large, licensed facilities are an anomaly, contending that those breeders are far superior to unregulated backyard breeders. And by purchasing from large breeding facilities, the stores receive a wide range of breeds and money-back warranties for sick or dead pups. Owners also note the USDA - which is responsible for regulating commercial breeders - has not shut down any of the facilities they buy from. "I'm very content with the quality of dogs we sell," said John Geoth, 47, co-owner of Utica Pet Supply, one of metro Detroit's largest importers of dogs from large out-of-state breeders. Geoth said he buys all of his dogs from Happy Tails Kennel, a Minnesota breeding operation that is the target of an ongoing federal investigation for housing dogs in squalid conditions. Since 2002, the facility has been cited numerous times, with violations including confining dogs to cramped, filthy cages and selling puppies less than 8 weeks old. But Geoth says the product is still superior. "We're putting out a companion animal that is unsurpassed by anyone," he said. Where the puppies come from More than 3,500 puppies arrived at metro Detroit pet stores last year from the country's largest breeding facilities and brokers. More than 80% of those dogs were supplied by the nation's eight largest exporters - and all of them have had multiple citations by the USDA in the last five years. In addition to Utica Pet Supply, which imported 400 dogs, the other big importers in metro Detroit last year were Family of Pets, with shops in Troy, Roseville, Novi, Waterford and Livonia, and Petland, another major pet store chain. Family of Pets imported more than 1,350 dogs from four facilities with multiple violations; Petland, more than 600 from cited facilities. Jim Kurdziel, co-owner of the Westland Petland store, said people within the franchise visit facilities they buy from and would stop buying dogs from anyone who mistreats animals. The Free Press looked at the most recent USDA inspections of the eight largest breeders of dogs

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sent to metro Detroit, some dating to 2002, others as recent as this year. Those inspections have found various problems. Dogs have been confined to overcrowded cages, surrounded by flies and feces and exposed to harsh weather. A report from a November USDA inspection of Happy Tails, the largest exporter of dogs to metro Detroit, documented dozens of dogs crammed into cages that were too small and had floors that exposed the animals' feet and legs to injury. Inspections in 2002 and 2003 at the same facility found similarly substandard cages and feces-littered kennels for 120 adult dogs. The facility also sold puppies before they reached 8 weeks, the minimum age required under federal law. Reports on the more than a dozen other out-of-state breeders that account for the last 20% of dogs sent to metro Detroit could not be obtained, and USDA officials declined to comment. There are no public records tracking dogs sold at metro Detroit pet stores that came from in-state breeders, but animal welfare groups say Michigan does not have a reputation for abusive breeders. ‘I cried for over two hours' People who buy dogs with health problems typically have two courses of action - they can sue the pet store they bought the dog from or they can formally complain to the state Department of Agriculture. Since 2000, at least 65 Michigan residents have taken action against the Petland, Utica Pet Supply and Family of Pets. Most alleged they were sold sickly puppies and some claimed to have been misled about the breed of the dog. Many had paperwork showing the dog came from an out-of-state breeder, but it is not known whether all the complaints involved out-of-state dogs. While the number is relatively small, Karlene Belyea, executive director of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, said she believes few owners take action even when a dog falls ill, dies or become debilitated later in life because of the conditions they were raised in. Most, she said, don't know they have legal recourse. "It's so sad when people bond with these puppies and then find out there are significant health problems because the dogs were bred by a bad breeder," Belyea said. Since 2000, at least 10 people have filed lawsuits or complaints against Utica Pet Supply for selling sick puppies; some died soon after they were bought. Yetiva Allen of Flushing, who filed a complaint with the state Department of Agriculture against Utica Pet Supply shortly after she said she spent more than $1,000 on vet bills for a wheaten terrier pup she bought there in July 2003. The dog developed arthritis and joint problems in November 2005, causing her to limp and sometimes collapse. "She's had bouts where she just lies on the floor and whines and cries," said Allen, whose dog came from Happy Tails. "Once it lasted 12 hours."

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At least nine people have filed complaints with the state Department of Agriculture since 2003 about sick puppies from Family of Pets. Bridget Polk, 38, of Mt. Clemens said the schnauzer mix she bought from Family of Pets at Macomb Mall in Roseville was bouncy, adorable and a perfect companion. But she said when she found her dog came from Happy Tails, a breeder whose history she knew of, "I cried for over two hours." Although Polk hasn't had any trouble with her dog, she filed a complaint with the state this year, saying the store led her to believe the puppy didn't come from a large breeder. The store denied misleading her. "This is an industry that is counting on consumer ignorance and impulse," said Deborah Howard, founder of the nonprofit Companion Animal Protection Society, which monitors breeders and has campaigned to warn consumers of the risks of buying dogs from stores that buy from large breeders. "It's all about the cute puppy in the window." 'She wasn't herself' John Stottele, the owner of Family of Pets, declined to be interviewed but said in an e-mail that he and his veterinarian have visited Happy Tails and found no problems. "If Happy Tails or any other professional breeder were to have their license suspended or revoked by the USDA, we would no longer purchase puppies from them," Stottele wrote. Family of Pets also bought more than 50 puppies last year from Pick of the Litter, a Minnesota breeder cited by the USDA in January for broken, substandard and overcrowded cages; animals exposed to wind and rain; dirty feeding and water bowls, and no proof of veterinary care. Parvovirus, an often deadly disease that attacks a dog's digestive system, is among the ailments that spread easily under those conditions, and a state Department of Agriculture inspection of the Roseville Family of Pets store in March 2005 found an outbreak of it. Pick of the Litter owner Kathy Bauk declined to comment on the conditions of her facility, saying past publicity has subjected her to harassment from animal-welfare activists she considers dangerous. Meanwhile, Barbara Ann Quinn bought a yellow lab from Family of Pets in Novi and within an hour of bringing it home its rectum began bleeding. A vet diagnosed the puppy, named Bailey, with parvovirus. Quinn estimates the vet bill ran up to $1,500. It is not clear where Bailey was bred. Although Bailey survived, Quinn said she wasn't a typical lab after that. "She isn't as big," said Quinn of Warren. "Her coat isn't as glowing. Bailey wasn't herself for a long, long time." Contact STEVE NEAVLING at 586-469-4935 or [email protected].

Documents

October 4, 2014 Version 11 - Meetupfiles.meetup.com/1258100/Macomb County Pet Store Supplier Photos.pdfexceeded 87 degrees inside the shelter. Dogs ... enclosures, as well as dust,