The Humane Society of the United States filed its first ever class action lawsuit on Monday against a Florida pet dealer who the organization alleges sells sick puppies to customers. The lawsuit seeks relief on behalf of anyone who bought a dog from Wizard of Claws pet store in the last four years. Among the charges is that Wizard of Claws misrepresented to its customers the origin of the puppies and that the pet store sold dogs from puppy mills that had serious health problems and genetic defects. The total number of plaintiffs is said to be more than 100 individuals from Florida and other states.
“This case highlights a nationwide epidemic of greed and deception in the puppy mill industry,” said Jonathan Lovvorn, vice president of animal protection litigation for The HSUS. “Pet stores and dog dealers like Wizard of Claws reap huge profits by pushing sick and dying animals on the public every day. It is long past time for a reckoning.”
This is the first lawsuit organized by the Humane Society in its 53 year history.
Sources: http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/lawsuit_wizard_of_claws.html
