
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
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
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant. Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end this cruel industry.
Recent News
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Short Film Reveals the Cruelty and Pervasiveness of Puppy Mills as New York and other Jurisdictions Pass and Support Retail Sales Bans
Actress Christian Serratos narrates the Animal Legal Defense Fund film advocating for an end to puppy millsNovember 16, 2022 Press Release -
Consumer Protection Law will Prohibit Financing of Puppies and Kittens in California
Predatory financing law bans loans that often trap borrowers with high interest ratesSeptember 26, 2022 Press Release -
Smoke Screen: Puppy Kingpin
The 2022 season from Neon Hum Media’s Smoke Screen podcast, “Puppy Kingpin,” explores the issue of puppy mills and the little-known practice of “puppy laundering” — and features the Animal Legal Defense Fund!
Related Cases
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Circumventing California Puppy Mill Ban
Carey, et al. v J.A.K.’s Puppies, Inc., et al.
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Challenging a Florida Kitten Breeder’s Cruelty and Fraud
Rozetti v. Adorable Stars
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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.