HomeMy WebLinkAboutAshly Dale 2.8.21 Attachment 2
PUPPYLAND
REPORT
Authored by Ashly Dale
Director of Operations
adale@bailingoutbenji.com
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Puppyland Supplier _________________________________________________________ 3
USDA Broker ____________________________________________________________ 4
Sick Puppies ________________________________________________ 5-12
Customer #1 _____________________________________________________________ 5
Breeder ________________________________________________________________ 6
Diagnosis _____________________________________________________________ 7-9
Customer #2 ___________________________________________________________ 10
Breeder _______________________________________________________________ 11
Diagnosis _____________________________________________________________ 12
'Health Guarantee’ _______________________________________________________ 13
Puppyland Breeders _________________________________________ 14-15
Predatory Financing ____________________________________________ 16
Problem with Puppy Stores _______________________________________ 17
3
JAKS PUPPIES INC
Puppyland sources all of their puppies from a large USDA broker, called
JAKS Puppies Inc, owned and operated by Jolyn Noethe.
This is a huge transparency problem for the consumer, who is not given the details of where
their puppy was born until after purchase.
4
WHAT IS A USDA BROKER?
A class B USDA licensee is a dealer or broker whose business includes the
purchase and/or resale of any dog or other regulated animal. This includes
brokers and auction operators because they negotiate or arrange the purchase,
sale, or commercial transport of dogs.
According to USDA inspection reports, for the past 4 years, JAKS has had
hundreds of puppies on site and zero adult dogs. ¹
8/03/17: 224 puppies
8/14/18: 181 puppies
3/21/19: 233 puppies
8/18/20: 254 puppies
https://aphis-efile.force.com/PublicSearchTool/s/inspection-reports ¹
Direct quote between Jolyn Noethe & Attorney At Law, Benjamin Merrill, pulled from a 2018 legal affidavit
obtained by Bailing Out Benji.
USDA licensed is not a safety net. The USDA has incredibly lax standards of
care such as allowing animals to be confined to cages that are only 6” larger
than the dog on all sides, no age limits on breeding, and inspections are ‘risk-
based’ which means some breeders are only inspected every 2-3 years.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/AC_BlueBook_AWA_508_comp_version.pdf
5
SICK PUPPIES SOLD BY PUPPYLAND
Certain information has been redacted to protect consumers identity as Puppyland states
that they will void health guarantees and require consumers to pay back any
reimbursements they have received if they speak out about purchasing a sick puppy. There
are likely many more puppies who have fallen ill but consumers are intimidated into not
speaking up or filing complaints due to their ‘contract’.
Customer #1 purchased a 10-week-old Bullmastiff puppy from Puppyland’s
sister store, Puppyworld in March 2020. 9 days after purchase, this puppy
tested positive for giardia and intestinal worms. ³ Only 7 weeks after purchase,
2 specialist visits, and thousands of dollars in vet bills, this puppy was
diagnosed with Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD)₄ at 5 mo nths old and later,
Cranio mandibular Osteopa th y₅ at 7 mo nths old. This puppy was born at Gary
Simmons facility located in Amity, Missouri.
6
7
³
Giardia & worms’ diagnosis.
8
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) is a bone disease that occurs in fast-growing large and
giant breed dogs. The disorder is sometimes referred to as metaphyseal osteopathy, and
typically first presents between the ages of 2 and 7 months. HOD is characterized by
decreased blood flow to the metaphysis (the part of the bone adjacent to the joint) leading to
a failure of ossification (bone formation) and necrosis and inflammation of cancellous bone.
The disease is usually bilateral in the limb bones, especially the distal radius, ulna, and tibia.
Causes have been speculated to include decreased Vitamin C uptake, increased vitamin
(other than C) and mineral uptake, and infection with canine distemper virus (CDV).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertrophic_osteodystrophy
9
Craniomandibular osteopathy, also known as lion's jaw, is a developmental disease in dogs
causing extensive bony changes in the mandible and skull. In this disease, a cyclical
resorption of normal bone and replacement by immature bone occurs along the inner and
outer surfaces of the affected bones. It usually occurs between the ages of 3 and 8 months.
Breeds most commonly affected include the West Highland White Terrier, Scottish Terrier,
Cairn Terrier, and Boston Terrier. It is rare in large-breed dogs, but it has been reported.
Symptoms include firm swelling of the jaw, drooling, pain, and difficulty eating.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craniomandibular_osteopathy
10
Customer #2 purchased an 11 week old Cavalier King Charles puppy from Puppyland in
Puyallup in January 2020. At 11 months old, this puppy was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and
a luxating patella.₆ This puppy was born at Reuben Schrock’s facility in Westby, Wisconsin.
11
12
Hip dysplasia and luxating patella diagnosis.
13
These puppy’s conditions are not covered under Puppyland’s “10-year health
guarantee” because these puppies have not passed away from these ailments.
https://www.puppylandwa.com/en/about/guarantees/
14
PUPPYLAND BREEDERS
From consumer inquiries and complaints, we have also connected Puppyland to the following
breeders.
Indiana
Lucas & Rhoda Miller-does not appear to be USDA licensed.
Francis Wagler
Iowa
Mike Decker
15
Minnesota
Angeline McDuffee DBA AJ’s Angels-Horrible Hundred puppy mill
Missouri
Lester Troyer
Wisconsin
John Lambright
16
PUPPYLAND’S PREDATORY FINANCING
Puppyland offers financing through Credova, Easypay Finance, & Lending USA. Interest
rates can reach as high as 200%. Puppyland’s financing prompted WA to pass legislation to
ban the leasing of animals.
https://www.q13fox.com/news/couples-puppy-leasing-dilemma-gets-attention-of-state-lawmakers
When consumers approach Puppyland about a puppy, Puppyland’s first response is to push
financing, without disclosing that often, these loans come with exceedingly high interest rates
and will end up costing the consumer thousands of dollars more than the original purchase
price. Below is an email correspondence received from Puppyland in response to a website
inquiry.
17
THE PROBLEM WITH PUPPY SELLING STORES
Lack of transparency - Breeder names are not required to be disclosed prior to
purchase and when a store uses a broker, it makes it impossible for consumers to do
their research prior to purchase.
Funds the puppy mill industry - Reputable breeders follow a code of ethics that states
they cannot sell to brokers, auctions, pet stores, or puppy mills. USDA licensed is not a
safety blanket. Almost all puppy mills are USDA licensed and inspected.
Preys on consumers – Advertising taking your puppy home the same day and pet
financing, encourages impulse buys and results in families purchasing an animal they
may not be able to afford or properly care for, for the next 10-15 years.
Puppyland has imported 2,267 puppies from inhumane puppy mills since opening in October
2018 and has potentially locked hundreds of families into high interest pet loans.
Ashly Dale
Bailing Out Benji – Director of Operations
Puyallup, WA 98374
adale@bailingoutbenji.com