Families file lawsuit against Grandville puppy store, state investigates

Lawsuit claims The Barking Boutique knowingly sold puppies with illnesses violating the Consumer Protection Act

PRESS RELEASE: February 18, 2019 

CONTACT: Pam Sordyl, 734-718-7100, pamsordyl@gmail.com

GRANDVILLE, MICHIGAN – Four families who purchased companion animals from The Barking Boutique (2939 Wilson Ave SW Suite 104, Grandville, MI), have filed a lawsuit seeking monetary damages for fraud, breach of contract and multiple violations of the Consumer Protection Act after purchasing puppies. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has been investigating since November.

The lawsuit was filed on February 06, 2019 at the Kent County Circuit Court and assigned to Honorable Judge Paul J. Denenfeld. (Case Number 2019-01106-CZ)

The puppies that were purchased between May and October 2018 suffered from a range of issues, including giardia, kennel cough, pneumonia, and hypoglycemia - costing the plaintiffs thousands of dollars in veterinary care. The complaint also claims that DNA tests indicate that two of the puppies were not purebreds, as advertised, and one was not a “toy” poodle.

In one particularly heart-breaking case, a Grandville family purchased a Yorkshire Terrier puppy diagnosed with pneumonia, a virus, and hypoglycemia within two days of purchase, requiring 24 hours emergency care for four days. Link to the Mead’s experience.

The Plaintiffs are represented by attorney Eugenie B. Eardley of Eardley Law, a Rockford based law firm.

The named defendants in the lawsuit are The Barking Boutique LLC and owner/operator David Boelkes.

The law firm is asking the court for an injunction forbidding the defendants from selling animals during the pendency of the lawsuit.

State Investigations

The Barking Boutique is currently under a third investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development according to a recent records request response letter obtained by Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan.  

“The investigation records you describe were compiled as part of a law enforcement investigation and disclosure of these records, while the matter is under investigation, would result in a chilling effect on the Department’s ability to undertake an unhindered and thorough investigation.”

This is the third investigation by the state of the store’s operations. The 2017 canine importation investigations resulted in an official warning letter being sent to The Barking Boutique. The department found that the store had failed to acquire veterinary certificates certifying that the puppies were properly vaccinated.

Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan recommends families adopt their next pet from their local shelter or Michigan Certified foster-based animal rescue organization - many of whom specialize in specific breeds.

Learn more about Puppy Mill Awareness.

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Eleven Plaintiffs File Lawsuit Against Trade Center Pet Store

Law firm seeks permanent injunction against Pollywood Pets/Little Dogz

PRESS RELEASE: April 14, 2015

CONTACT: Pam Sordyl, pmamichinfo@yahoo.com, 734-718-7100

MT. CLEMENS, MICHIGAN – Eleven plaintiffs who purchased companion animals from Little Dogz, formally operating as Pollywood Pets located in the Gibralter Trade Center, have filed a lawsuit seeking monetary damages for multiple violations of the Consumer Protection Act in the Macomb County Circuit Court after purchasing puppies that were genetically defective, suffering from infections, and highly contagious diseases.

The complaint is also requesting a permanent injunction barring the store or its owners from selling animals.

The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Jenifer Measel of Haas & Goldstein, P.C., a Farmington Hills based law firm. These animals were advertised by the store and its owners as healthy and suitable for family pets but the end result was that most of the animals had to be euthanized shortly after purchase. The animals that did survive cost the plaintiffs thousands of dollars in ongoing veterinary care.

The named defendants in the lawsuit are Pollywood Pets, Little Dogz, Shelley Myers, and David Myers. The complaint also alleges fraud, claiming the store and its owners knowingly sold animals to the plaintiffs that were genetically deformed and had deadly and highly contagious diseases.

Other lawsuits have been filed against the store and its owners in the past.

Last week, Myers claimed the store’s lease had not been renewed after twenty-four years of operation at the Trade Center after a local animal welfare group put pressure on the Trade Center. Myers was seeking funding to rebuild the business on a GoFundMe site that is no longer active. During the pet store’s tenure at the Trade Center, Shelley and David Myers sold dogs, cats, rabbits, small animals, and birds out of a storefront. Multiple complaints of sick and dying animals were reported to the local and county Animal Control Offices and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who formally regulated pet stores.

Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan launched a public education campaign in front of the Trade Center and online warning patrons of the condition of the animals being sold. During weekly protests, the animal advocates collected testimony from families who had purchased ill or genetically defective animals and advised them to file complaints.

“During our sixteen-month campaign, twenty individuals stated they purchased a sick animal from the store during that timeframe.” Pam Sordyl, Founder of Puppy Mill Awareness. “We heard so many heartbreaking stories. One woman told us her new Yorkie was diagnosed with kennel cough and pneumonia a week after purchase. Her pet was suffering, almost died, and the pet store refused to help claiming the illness was brought to their attention after the 48-hour rule stated in the contract.”

A lack of funding ended the Pet Shop Program regulating pet stores in Michigan, however, many local agencies are now enforcing the pet store laws and regulations. Both Greenwood Pets & Plants located in Warren and Pet Station in Dearborn were shut down for violating these laws and selling sick animals. Mt. Clemens employs a part-time officer who also handles parking tickets.

Today’s lawsuit seeks to protect members of the general public from unknowingly purchasing over bred, genetically deformed, and diseased animals represented as “family pets.” Those wanting to add a pet to their household are encouraged to adopt from their local shelter or foster-based animal rescues organizations, many of whom specialize in specific breeds, or thoroughly research and personally visit the breeder from whom they intend to purchase an animal. T

o follow the progress of this case, click below http://courtpa.macombgov.org/eservices/?x=wxG5daYLjb7kQSzAUaWovzJeG7rtMufm0Qpu9pF1k0ynReXeT8XMSxJdMm-MIQjlKMtPKcWgs9BgzNvuRD*NPQ