Challenging Petland’s Business Practices (Racketeering Class Action)
Rosalba Cisneros v Petland, Inc
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a class action lawsuit against Petland alleging Petland violated the federal RICO Act and Georgia RICO Act.
Next Step
Await courts decision
In 2017, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a class action lawsuit against Petland, a national pet store chain, alleging Petland violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act and Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Petland puppy purchaser representing a putative nationwide class of her fellow consumers — people who bought puppies and kittens from Petland and were victimized by Petland’s predatory business practices.
The lawsuit alleges that Petland charges premium prices for puppies and kittens the chain “certifies” to be healthy — as claimed by Petland’s veterinarians — when in fact Petland knows full well it is selling animals prone to illnesses and other defects, due to their sourcing from puppy and kitten mills.
The lawsuit also contends that Petland further inflates the animals’ price with phony services and warranties that exist only to line the company’s pockets, not benefit consumers or their dogs.
The court granted the Defendants’ motions to dismiss the case in 2018, but the Animal Legal Defense Fund has appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
No More Puppy Mills
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Recent News
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RICO Lawsuit Filed Against Puppy Mill Broker JAKS Puppies and Its Ring of Associates
Class-action lawsuit alleges thousands in California purchased dogs under the false belief they were rescue animalsDecember 16, 2021 Press Release -
Massachusetts: Protect Puppies and Kittens
An Act Protecting the Health and Safety of Puppies and Kittens in Cities and Towns, would protect animals and consumers by banning the sale of puppies and kittens under 8 weeks of age; prohibiting the sale of animals in parking lots, flea markets, and similar venues; and updating rules governing commercial kennels, among other improvements.October 7, 2021 Action Alert -
Court Orders Fraudulent Puppy Traffickers to Cease Selling Animals While Case Proceeds
The Los Angeles Superior Court has granted a preliminary injunction that halts the Kenneys, unscrupulous internet puppy sellers, from advertising and selling puppies until the lawsuit is decided on the merits.July 29, 2021 Press Release
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Since 1979, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has led the charge to win animals the legal protection they so desperately need—and deserve. Your generous gift will assure that we can continue to take on cases that advance the interests of animals.