
Challenging the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs – Barkworks Class Action
Chelsea Vancleve v Chien Et Chat, Inc.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a class action lawsuit against pet store chain Barkworks, on behalf of puppy purchasers harmed by the company’s illegal and deceptive practices in selling puppy mill dogs.
Status
Next Step
Case Closed
In 2014, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against Barkworks, a Southern California pet store chain with six locations. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of several puppy purchasers tricked by Barkworks into purchasing sick puppies sourced from puppy mills.
The lawsuit alleged that Barkworks orchestrated a long-running scheme to defraud unsuspecting consumers by misrepresenting the health and origins of its puppies. Barkworks’ illegal business practices included misrepresenting puppy mills as “reputable” breeders, providing inaccurate breeder license numbers and addresses, fabricating breeding certificates, and lying about providing veterinary care to the fragile animals.
Purchasers learned Barkworks’ representations were false when their new puppies immediately fell seriously ill, and when they began researching the source of their puppies and discovered their mill origins. The action, filed in Orange County Superior Court, alleged that Barkworks’ representations and actions violated California consumer protection law.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund amended its complaint in 2015 to make it a punative class action on behalf of a class of Barkworks puppy purchasers, after uncovering documents detailing the widespread nature of Barkworks’ deception, and hearing story after story of heartbroken purchasers who had to rush their new puppies to the vet just days or even hours after bringing them home.
Despite the court preventing the case from going forward as a class action, in 2018 the parties reached a mutually agreeable settlement.
By that time, Barkworks had taken down the misleading in-store signs and closed four of its six retail stores, and the California legislature had passed a law banning the sale of dogs from commercial breeders. Barkworks remaining two stores are likely to close by January 1, 2019 when the law goes into effect.
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
-
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
-
Circumventing California Puppy Mill Ban
Carey, et al. v J.A.K.’s Puppies, Inc., et al.
-
Suing Unscrupulous Puppy Traffickers Who Knowingly Sold Sick Dogs
Jessica Loy et. al. v. Trina Kenney et. al.
-
Lawsuit Against Barbour County for Violating State Animal Control Law
Klein v. Barbour County Commission
Looking for case and legal resources? View Resources
See MoreNo 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.