"Petland" Class Action Lawsuit Filed by Hundreds of Heartbroken Buyers

A Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) follow-up investigation has found that Petland stores are still supporting puppy mills, including some of the largest and most notorious in the country.

The new intensive study analyzed thousands of pages of public interstate health documents in multiple states, revealing that almost every Petland store in the country is buying from puppy mills, either directly from commercial breeding facilities or indirectly through middleman brokers.

Two of the worst offenders included "Perfect Puppies" in Iowa and the Hunte Corporation in Missouri. More than 80 stores were linked directly to the Hunte Corporation alone, a massive Missouri broker that resells about 80,000 puppies a year and has documented Animal Welfare Act violations.

The new investigation of Petland's puppy sources also traced shipments of puppies from out of state brokers to more than 95 percent of Petland's domestic stores, revealing once again the chain supports puppy mills.

The HSUS also found that several Petland stores continued to buy from some of the facilities the HSUS clearly named and exposed as part of their initial Petland investigation in November, including MAM (Mike and Melanie Moore's) Kennels in Missouri and Charlene Koster's kennel in Kansas—puppy mills where more than 100 dogs were filmed running back and forth in small wire cages. Read one family's story: Heartbreak at Petland

Supporting Cruelty

As implausible as it might seem, the HSUS investigation found at least two Petland stores in Florida still buying puppies from the facility associated with Kathy Bauck in New York Mills, Minn. Bauck was convicted of three counts of animal torture and one count of animal abuse in March 2009, the same month the East Orlando Petland store purchased several puppies from her facility. Health certificate documents show that the Largo Florida Petland store also purchased at least one puppy from Bauck's kennel in February 2009. See where your local Petland gets its puppies

"Petland claims again and again that they deal only with a special selection of breeders," said Stephanie Shain, senior director for the HSUS puppy mills campaign. "Our new investigation proves that the vast majority of their stores are buying either directly or indirectly from puppy mills and brokers—large-scale commercial facilities where puppies are treated like nothing more than a cash crop."



In addition, the investigation also found two Petland stores buying from a convicted animal abuser, others buying from individuals with long histories of Animal Welfare Act violations, and some who held no USDA license at all. (Even licensed and legal commercial kennels can still be puppy mills, where 100 or more breeding dogs have been found confined for life to small wire cages.)

Since the original Petland investigation was released in November, a consumer lawsuit has been filed against Petland and more than 600 former Petland customers have contacted the HSUS to tell their heartbreaking stories. HSUS has also led three nationwide demonstrations this year at Petland stores across the country to tell the chain to stop selling puppies and start supporting pet adoptions instead.

Please speak out against Petland's illegal and inhumane practices. Tell Your Story Here or Put Your Pet on the HSUS's "Pets Against Puppy Mills" page.

Your best friend will thank you.

National Outrage: Despite Witnesses, Inadequate Charges, Dog Killer Bobby Loggins pleads Not Guilty

His name was "Sire."

The five-month-old American Bulldog's short life came to an abrupt end on June 9 when he urinated on a carpet while his owner, Bobby Loggins of Sioux City, Iowa, entertained friends.

Despite three witnesses who say otherwise, Loggins pleaded "not guilty" today to having inflicted 30 blows to Sire's head, causing the puppy's death. Even had Loggins pled guilty, Iowa's current animal cruelty/torture laws would have allowed no more than aggravated misdemeanor charges being filed in his case.

The horrific puppy-killing case has drawn both statewide and national attention to animal abuse and animal torture legislation, and websites and bloggers across the U.S. are demanding change. Several focus on one key plea: those outraged with Iowa's law should write Sioux City's County Attorney Patrick Jennings asking that charges against Loggins be amended to reflect a crime far more serious than a simple traffic violation.

For many, Loggins' "not guilty" plea to the misdemeanor charge only added insult to injury.

Sioux City's KMEG 14 -- who had the only crew inside the courtroom Thursday morning when Loggins pleaded not guilty -- said Loggins plans to hire his own attorney before the July 21 pre-trial hearing.

Regarding the aggravated misdemeanor charge -- which carries a sentence of up to two years in prison and a $6,000 fine -- Siouxland Humane Society Executive Director Jerry Dominicak said, "We're hoping for the maximum, but we would like to see the animal laws in Iowa be stronger."

Dominicak and his staff have given out thousands of flyers asking people to flood the Woodbury County Attorney's office with letters. "The citizens in Sioux City and the Siouxland area need their voices to be heard," he said.

Those voices are sounding off -- loud and clear.

At Monday night's Sioux City Council meeting, local animal lovers spoke about the dog's beating death, and the Iowa Voters for Companion Animals talked with the city council about changing city ordinance to keep convicted dog abusers from owning animals in the future.

Under "Education for Responsible Pet Ownership," Pit Bulls for Justice began an article with "One word for Bobby: MURDERER" before reporting the crime and offering the quote: "We can tell a lot about a society by the way it treats animals, children and the elderly."

In Lincoln, Neb., one concerned citizen called the Woodbury County Attorney's office only to be told they would not take phone calls expressing outrage over the incident but would accept "letters for their files." Undeterred, the Nebraska caller not only wrote and sent the letter, but posted a copy of it -- along with the Woodbury County Attorney's mailing address -- to Pet Enthusiast Magazine, imploring others to write letters, too.

The Daily Hobbit's "Beyond the Shire" also has noted the pup's merciless killing. The article invites reader comments and prominently displays the Woodbury County Attorney address.

RunningForaPaws posted what they called a "Simple but Very Important Request" asking readers to contact Jennings and ask their letter be added to the file.

KTIV-TV reported Wednesday on the Siouxland Humane Society's letter-writing campaign encouraging the Woodbury County Attorney to seek the toughest penalties possible.

The blog "For the Love of the Dog" -- which also listed the county attorney's address -- didn't bother mincing words. "Please, please, please…post and crosspost. Let’s get the word out and the letters and calls in!" the site reported, concluding with the final directive, "Don’t let this heartless bastard walk with just a little fine after brutally beating this defenesless little puppy!!"

Under the dogster.com forum "Dog Laws & Legislation," there are pleas to read about "Sire's" death and "do something!"

The Woodbury County Attorney's address -- along with, not surprisingly, more comments -- shows up on the care2 make a difference site as well.

KCAU-TV in Sioux City reported today that, if convicted, Loggins could spend 2-years in prison and pay a $6250 fine. His trial is set for August.

PiddleTails took time to weigh in on what Sioux City Police Chief Doug Young called "a heinous crime."

In addition, KPTH FOX News re-emphasized today the Humane Society's push for stronger animal laws in Iowa and, of course, director Dominicak's letter-writing campaign.

And, the Sioux City Journal's June 11 article on the dog-beating death now leads the site's "Most Commented" upon news story, with 104 angry comments -- and still counting.

There are more. In fact, far more accounts of outrage than I can possibly include in this post. But, my hope is that some of the above links will provide a glimpse into a nation's response to a particularly senseless, cruel and brutal act, and (in this case) a defendant who clearly has shown no remorse by pleading "not guilty" to a crime already defined well below the scope of its severity.

While I find the county attorney letter-writing campaign absolutely worthwhile and certainly worth pursuing, there's still another Iowa address conspicuously missing from these appeals; it's the one for your state legislator.

Sharpen your pencils. It's time for change in Iowa.

Why do so many states allow (i.e. tolerate) animal torture and killing?

Don't let the map fool you.

While the Humane Society of the United States has made enormous strides state by state in animal cruelty legislation over the past several years (due largely, in my honest opinion, to current HSUS President & CEO Wayne Pacelle's tireless dedication and ongoing efforts), we as a civilized country still have a long way to go.

As of May 28, 2009, only four states remain without felony animal cruelty provisions, but don't let all the others lull you into believing they don't tolerate unspeakable crimes; many states hiding beneath the red-colored designation (meaning they have "felony legislation in place") won't bring about felony charges until a second or third offense. See where your state stands

Another crime? Seeing the word "misdemeanor" in the same news article that details how a defenseless dog was beaten to death by its master for urinating on the floor.

First, though, let's head to New York. There's someone there you need to know.

Meet Cheyenne Cherry -- sociopath-in-training

Cheyenne Cherry, a 17-year-old New York teen, was arrested June 3 after admitting she threw her former roommate's two-month-old female kitten, Tiger Lily, into an oven and roasted the animal to death. The reason she gave for torturing Tiger Lily to death: "I hate cats."

According to ASPCA officials, Cherry brushed the incident off as "a practical joke."

ASPCA official Joe Pentangelo says the animal suffered "an agonizing death.'' Cherry and an accomplice left the apartment as the kitten cried and scratched at the oven door, Pentangelo said.

The tragedy was discovered by neighbors who noticed smoke and a foul odor coming from the apartment. When firefighters arrived, they found Tiger Lily's smoldered remains. Investigators say the kitten was burned so badly, a necropsy had to be performed to determine the kitten's sex.

It wasn't the first time the kitty-killing Cherry had used the term "practical joke" when it came to abusing or killing other people's pets. Cherry was charged in the armed robbery dog-napping of a teacup Yorkie in a Bronx park last June, police said. And, Cherry said it was also "just a joke" after her arrest for robbing a man of his iPod at gunpoint. She'd pleaded guilty to robbery and got five years probation.

Despite Cherry's June 2008 arrest for larceny and extortion -- along with two other busts -- Cherry was released into her mother's custody without bail; this after she was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, burglary, arson, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief for burning alive her friend's kitten.

Cherry's community, outraged by her latest gruesome act and her dismissive attitude towards the crime, is asking that the 17-year-old be charged as an adult. An online petition has been set up requesting a modification of the charges, with petition signatures and comments being forwarded to the judge by month's end. Though the site's initial goal was 2,500 signatures, more than 13,000 incensed citizens already have signed -- a vast majority also taking time to comment on Cherry's barbaric crime. Sign the Petition Here

Fast forward to Sioux City, Iowa

Meet Bobby Loggins: Prefers Killing Own Dog vs. Someone else's Pet (also prefers house guests who will lie -- albeit conflicting stories -- about dog's death)

Bobby Loggins, 35 and intoxicated, was upset. His young American bulldog, whom he obviously hadn't taken the time to fully train, had just urinated on the carpet during Bobby's house party at 1611 23rd Street in Sioux City. Instead of leading the dog outside as any responsible pet owner would do, Loggins punched his own loyal dog in the face approximately 30 times -- in front of several witnesses, no less. Police reports confirmed the dog was bleeding from the facial area, and animal control officers said the dog died before help could arrive.

If that weren't bad enough, Loggins, as well as one of his "guests," lied about what happened.

Loggins told police he "accidentally" slammed the dog's head in the door. And, according to Sioux City Police Sgt. Mike Post, an unnamed witness told police the dog had been hit by a car.

One witness, however, had a conscience; Post said 34-year-old Chad Peterson was one of the witnesses and reported the incident to police.

On the other hand, the man-without-a-conscience-dog-killing Loggins has been charged with animal torture and filing a false police report, both of which (do-I-really-really-really-have-to-use-this-word?) are misdemeanors. Loggins will likely be ordered to get some psychological counseling. Perhaps even do some community service. Meanwhile, a young unschooled dog met a horrendous death at the very hands of the man he trusted most.

Loggins was released from jail on bond about two hours after being taken into custody.

Misdemeanors? But what about That Map?

Are you asking yourself the same question I've asked myself a thousand times? "How can this animal torture/cruelty crime be a misdemeanor when the map clearly shows Iowa has statutes in place to make this crime a felony?"

The answer, my friend, is in the fine print. You'll find it in Iowa Code 717B.3A under Animal Torture. What it means is that the Bobby Loggins of Iowa can relentlessly beat and kill a family pet with 30 hard punches to the face and still answer to no more than misdemeanor charges -- until their second offense, that is, when that animal's death matters and it becomes a Class D Felony.

It could be worse. In Alaska, one has three opportunities to torture or kill the family pet before being charged with a felony. Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota and North Dakota have no felony provisions at all.

Shame on those state legislators.

One need not be a dog lover or cat lover or animal lover of any kind to possess the simple knowledge that animals experience pain no differently than human beings. But does placing the value of a human life over that of an animal preclude legislators from understanding the parallels in violent behavior exhibited by those who would inflict such pain and/or death on either?

It isn't enough to just ask questions; we must demand answers, action and accountability. Our lives -- and the animals with whom we so lovingly share those lives -- depend on it.

"Special Agent" Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Honored by FBI

I was just six years old when "The FBI" starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., first premiered on television in 1965, but I vividly remember watching nearly every episode over the next nine years because of the things I associate with the program; it was broadcast on Sunday nights and my family spent nearly every Sunday having dinner at my Grandma Ewing's home.

When I think of the show, the vision that springs to mind is my dad sitting upright in Grandma's recliner with a TV tray in front of him, spooning hot chili into his mouth (while never taking his eyes off the TV), Mom sitting on the corner of Aunt Mabel's old worn chair, and the five of us kids sitting cross-legged on the floor adding oyster crackers to our own bowls of chili and hanging on "Agent Lewis Erskine's" every word while Grandma kept poking her head into the living room long enough to ask if everyone was getting enough to eat.

Each week's episode closed with the same voice announcing, "This has been a Quinn Martin Production."

In the years following the series run, I never gave much thought to whatever happened to Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., and certainly had no idea that once his "fictional" show ended he'd continued his relationship with the FBI, participating in charity events and helping raise money for families of agents killed in the line of duty.

Today's FBI Press Release showed me just how busy Mr. Zimbalist has been. During yesterday's ceremony at the Los Angeles Field Office, FBI Director Robert Mueller presented Zimbalist with an honorary special agent badge for embodying the qualities in the FBI's motto: fidelity, bravery, and integrity.

The FBI says Zimbalist inspired a generation of real-life FBI special agents, and I don't doubt it for a moment. That's not counting the number of other FBI-inspired television series over the past four decades.

I'm thinkin' J. Edgar Hoover would've been proud.

Abused, Sick Dogs Left At Bainbridge Island Animal Rescue

Stories like this just make my heart sink. Six dachshunds -- likely rejects from a puppy mill -- were dropped off at a Bainbridge Island rescue facility with all kinds of serious health issues.

Rescue manager Suzannah Sloan said the dogs had been "bred and bred and bred and bred." They had mammary tumors, ovarian tumors, and all showed signs of neglect. There's a short video featuring the dogs here:

Abused, Sick Dogs Left At Bainbridge Island Animal Rescue - Seattle News Story - KIRO Seattle

One thought provides a little comfort; the ones who may not make it will at least get to spend their final days in loving hands instead of dying alone in a small cramped cage.