Petland Novi is court ordered to provide a list of their breeders

Petland Novi is court ordered to provide a list of its breeders, brokers and employees for the past five years.

Today, attorney Jenifer Measel prevailed during the second hearing in the Rose vs Petland Novi case. Judge Phyllis McMillen ended the “discovery battle” by offering time for the attorneys to hammer out a list of questions not fully answered. During that time, Petland’s attorney was ordered to provide additional information, as well as, deposition dates.

According to court documents, a Northville family purchased a sick puppy that passed an antibiotic resistant Campylobacter infection on to the owner requiring time off of work and medical treatment.

Petland Novi has stonewalled the buyers since the lawsuit was filed in November by refusing to provide complete answers to questions regarding the store’s business practices and not providing deposition dates. Instead, Petland Novi is attempting to dismiss the case suggesting it is “over pleaded” with eight counts, 118 witnesses, including Bob Gatt, the Mayor of Novi and that the couple may have contracted campylobacter while dinning out.

Measel reminded the court this is a Toxic Tort case and everyone in the chain will be sued. She noted that the CDC investigated the campylobacter outbreak across the country in 2016-17 tracing the source to Petland stores. She will need to start by deposing, not only the pet store owner, Randy Horowitz, but two sales managers (Alayna Markle and Melissa Norvakowski) both of whom testified before the House Agriculture Committee in Lansing in support of legislation that would protect pet retail sales.

According to court documents, the Plaintiffs have asked for such items as…..

• A list of breeders, brokers or other entities Petland has acquired animals from along with all acquisition records
  
  
• A list of employees, including bookkeepers, payroll, human resources, record keeping, inventory employees and those responsible for purchasing puppies.
  
  
• List of records regarding animals with parvo, intestinal parasites, diseases or genetic abnormalities.
  
  
• A list of veterinarians and technicians.
  
  
• All vaccination and medical treatments.
  
  
• A list of dogs euthanized.
  
  
• A list of dogs presently housed at the store and veterinary clinic. 

Petland Novi was court ordered to provide a list of its breeders, brokers and employees for the past five years.

RELATED LINKS

Doug Rose vs Petland Novi complaint (Click here)

CDC investigation (Click here)

Notorious Ohio Puppy Broker Abe Miller Named as defendant (Click here)

Local 4 - Northville man alleges sick puppy bought at Novi pet store landed him in hospital (Click here)

Feb 20, 2019 Hearing Media Advisory (Click here)

PRESS RELEASE: Notorious Ohio puppy broker named as defendant in Michigan lawsuit

 A Michigan man is suing Petland Novi, their breeder and broker after being hospitalized with a multi-drug resistant Campylobacter infection. The BBB investigates.

 

PRESS RELEASE: January 28, 2019

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

FRESNO, OHIO - The third lawsuit filed against Petland’s Novi Michigan location now lists defendants Holmes for Canines and/or Twin Creek Kennels, as the “John Doe Broker” and Amos J. Yoder as the “John Doe Breeder” according to court documents filed by the attorney for Petland.

Broker Abe N. Miller

Holmes for Canines, formerly named Twin Creek Kennels, is owned and operated by Abe N. Miller - one of Ohio’s notorious puppy brokers. Miller’s thirteen-year history in the pet trade is riddled with misconduct documented in detailed inspection reports, a federal audit, multiple lawsuits and cruelty cases.  

Learn more about Miller’s chronic troubles with the law on Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan’s blog: 

The civil complaint claims both the broker and breeder may be wholly or partially at fault after a Northville man was hospitalized shortly after purchasing a sick puppy from the independently owned Petland Novi store located in Oakland County.

The law firm representing the plaintiffs is asking the court for an injunction forbidding the defendants from engaging in breeding, transporting, and/or selling animals during the pendency of the lawsuit.

The first hearing is scheduled for February 13, 2019 at the Oakland County Circuit Court.

The Better Business Bureau of Eastern Michigan is currently investigating the complaint.

Neither the Oakland County Health Department nor Animal Control had been contacted about the case in November when the lawsuit was filed. It is unclear if Rose’s case has been reported to any public health protection agency in Michigan or Ohio, or if the Petland Novi store is following protocols for detection and prevention.

Breeder Amos J. Yoder

According to Petland, the Rose’s puppy named Thor- a Beagle/Pug mix, was bred by Amos J. Yoder. Yoder’s kennel is commercially licensed by the USDA in Baltic Ohio.

Thor was treated for Campylobacter and Coccidia shortly after purchase and has fully recovered. Coccidia is an intestinal parasite spread through fecal matter, and is most commonly found in puppies that have contracted the parasite from an adult dogs' feces, according to petMD.

The Plaintiffs in the Novi case are represented by attorney Jenifer Measel of Haas & Goldstein, P.C., a Farmington Hills based law firm. Measel stated she continues to be contacted by families who have purchased sick puppies from Petland.  

Link to DougRose vs Petland Novi complaint.

Campylobacter Investigation - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

In 2017, the CDC completed a multi-state investigation of a Campylobacter outbreak including 118 cases across 18 states reporting 26 hospitalizations. The vast majority of those individuals sickened reported they had contact with a puppy from a Petland store.  

The CDC advisories focus on hand washing, separating human eating areas from animal areas, and using personal protective equipment correctly, such as wearing gloves when cleaning cages in pet stores. 

Petland is headquartered in Chillicothe Ohio with over 80 retail outlets across the country.

The only Petland outlet in Michigan is located at 27200 Novi Rd, Novi, MI 48377 inside the Twelve Oaks Mall.

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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Petland Novi, What happened to this Great Dane?

On February 9, 2017 a black male Great Dane was removed from Petland’s large showcase window after the Novi Police visited in response to a complaint. Two puppy shoppers reported the puppy was on display for sale with runny eyes, a crusty nose, hair loss and appeared to be very underweight. 

Where did he go??? 

Shortly after the police visit, Petland posted a new photo advertisement on their Facebook page stating that the Great Dane had been sold, yet an hour later a customer was told that the she could not see the dog because he was sick and would be going to the vet the following morning. The same puppy shopper visited again the following week and the store stated the dog was at the vet. Remember, this is the sibling to the Great Dane that died of pneumonia and reported in the WXYZ story on January 30th, 2017. 

So what has happened to this sickly Great Dane? 

Was he really sold? Is he still at the vet? Was he returned to the breeder in Missouri? Was he euthanized? 

The Davis family’s dog, named Diamond, died from pneumonia that developed from untreated kennel cough and the store continued to try and sell the sick litter mate. This is very irresponsible. 

There are several police reports associated with these two Great Danes. 17-5723 Michelle Read 17-6737 Pam Sordyl and Susan Wheeland 17-xxxx Brian and Elizabeth Davis

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

1) We need an independent veterinary to look at all of these dogs in the store. Susan Wheeland observed other dogs with runny eyes on display for sale on 2/16/17. If you see a sickly puppy please call Oakland County Animal Control at 248-391-4102. They can ask the state dept to bring a staff veterinarian. 

2) If you purchased a sick pet, or you are having any problems regarding the warranty, and extra vet costs in the last six years from Petland Novi, you need to call Pam Sordyl, Founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan at 734-718-7100.

3) If you oppose the retail sale of puppy mill dogs and want Petland Novi to be held accountable for selling so many sick animals, let your voices be heard! Contact the following decision makers:

Novi Mayor Bob Gatt, Mayor Pro-Tem David Staudt, Council Members: Andrew Mutch, Wayne Wrobel, Laura Marie Casey, Gwen Markham and Brian Burke

bgatt@cityofnovi.org, DStaudt@cityofnovi.org, amutch@cityofnovi.org, wwrobel@cityofnovi.org, lcasey@cityofnovi.org, gmarkham@cityofnovi.org, bburke@cityofnovi.org

Novi County Commissioner: Hugh Crawford, hughcrawford@msn.com

Oakland County Public Services Committee Chair: Bill Dywer, wdwyer@mi.rr.com

4) Leave an online review: Ripoff Report (does not remove reviews) or Yelp.

5) Attend the next NoviCity Council Meeting on February 27, 2017 at 7 PM.

Petland Novi frequently asked questions that can be answered in two words

Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan receives all kinds of questions about Petland Novi from employees, shoppers, local residents, city council… So many people find it hard to believe that a store in a popular local mall would be doing something unethical. We all know when profits are involved coupled with the belief having any type of business is good for the economy can be a bad thing for animals. 

Q: How many complaints have been filed regarding sick dogs sold?

A: Too many.

Q: How many times has Oakland County Animal Control or the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development checked on sick animals?

A: Not enough.

Q: Does the veterinary who issues 30-day Health Certificates also offer 3 free exams to attract new customers? Is that a conflict of interest?

A: Appears so.

Q: Are there disclosure or Pet Lemon laws in Michigan?

A: Not yet.

Q: What happens if someone purchases a sick pet from Petland Novi?

A: No recourse.

Q: Does the owner of Petland Novi have access to USDA inspection reports for the kennels they source from?

A: Yes.

Q: Does the owner of Petland Novi source from breeders with prior  violations or enforcement actions?

A: Yes.

Q: Does Petland Novi work with breeders with over 200 dogs?

A: Yes

Q: How many puppies does Petland Novi sell each month?

A: 80-100

Q: What does City Council say on this matter?

A: Buyer Beware.

Q: If I purchased a sick pet who should I contact?

A: Jennifer Measel (248-702-6550)

Q: If I observed sick animals on display at the store, who should I contact?

A: Good luck!

Q: Why does Petland Novi delete my questions when I post on their Facebook page?

A: Good question.

Q: Where should I find a pet?

A: Local shelter.

Q: What will happen to the puppies if they do not sell?

A: Marked down.

If you would like to know more about Petland Novi’s breeders and business practices, please visit our blog. http://puppymillawarenessmichigan.blogspot.com/2015/03/top-ten-reasons-petland-is-michigans.html

Top Ten Reasons Why Petland Is Michigan's Worst Pet Store

 

 

Petland Novi has not only imported sick puppies from the “Puppy Mill Belt of America”, but the store has continuously brought unfavorable local and national media attention, including WXYZ’s The Investigators. Petland is the nation’s largest puppy retailer with over seventy (70) locations in the United States and only one store remaining in Michigan, located at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi.

#1 Petland Novi’s breeders have shocking inspection reports, photos and videos showing injured and untreated animals 
 

Contrary to Petland’s “front-yard” breeder photos provided to the Novi City Council, Puppy Mill Awareness collected 700 USDA photos taken during kennel inspections. The photos don’t lie. This enormous photo collection from twenty-four (24) different breeders who have supplied puppies over the last five years clearly shows the store has no standards and uses no discretion when choosing suppliers. The photos show underweight, injured and untreated animals in housing facilities with no primary shelter or access to shelter, some without shade, wind or rain breaks, overcrowding conditions, excessive feces, surrounded by grime and filth. Watch videos here.

 

#2 Petland Novi uses mega-sized kennels, some with over 500 adult dogs 

 

The puppies sold at Petland Novi are often unhealthy because they are over-bred in mega-sized commercial kennels in unsanitary conditions without consideration of genetic quality. This results in generations of dogs with unchecked hereditary defects. Mass production of puppies in unsanitary kennels harbor diseases and illnesses that travel with the puppy to the pet store and can be shared among other puppies from other puppy farms on the broker transport truck. One supplier, Opal Featherston (Whiting KS) topped the charts with 773 adult dogs during a USDA inspection. Petland Novi has continued to work with large breeders over the last several years including:

°         La Nae and Justin Jackson (340 dogs)

°         Daniel Schlabach, Evergreen Designers LLC (298 dogs)

°         Philip M. Hoover LLC (295 dogs)

°         Mark Landers (275 dogs)

°         Freeman Raber (239 dogs)

°         Julie Snidow (214 dogs)

#3 Petland Novi ships 60-160 puppies per month from out-of-state commercial breeders where families can not meet the parents

Petland Novi is considered a high-volume “box” puppy retail store averaging 88 new puppies per month – this is no “mom and pop shop”! The store is part of our nation’s largest puppy-selling franchise with a corporate office in Ohio. Petland Novi shipped puppies from over 100 different out-of-state breeders over the last five years. Puppies are shipped from the Midwest “puppy mill belt” including Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Oklahoma where families can not easily check conditions or meet the parents. Petland Novi’s out-of-state breeders are not helping Michigan’s economy; in fact, they are hurting families who have to cover expensive and sometimes long-term veterinary care.  — Complaint Report

 

#4 Petland Novi has a history of working with bad breeders

 

The conditions of dogs housed at Petland Novi’s kennels have been consistently documented as appalling. Puppy Mill Awareness’ 2009-2010 Petland Supplier Study showed most of Petland Novi’s breeders (11 of the 16) had non-compliances to the Animal Welfare Act including excessive feces, no heat, performing surgeries, unattended bite wounds, excessive hair mats, low voltage fencing, minimum floor space, cats with backbone and ribs showing, dirty dogs, lack of bedding and shade, accumulated grime and lack of veterinary care. Petland Novi management has access to USDA inspection reports online prior to ordering puppies, yet the store continues to use breeders with violations including direct, indirect and repeat violations. Four of Petland Novi’s 2014 breeders had violations related to veterinary care and Petland Novi still purchased puppies from these breeders:

 

(1)   Julie Snidow (Missouri) Mar-13 a female Maltese has a left eye that is a light cloudy blue color with no visible pupil

(2)   La Donna Dailey (Missouri) Aug-14 one adult female French Bulldog displayed patchy area of hair loss over the shoulders and back and two smaller areas of open lesions on the face.

(3)   Michelle Houck (Kansas) Mar-13 a Chihuahua on wire flooring is in need of foot care.

(4)   Evergreen Designer (Ohio) Mar-2011 one dog was missing it’s left eye and the right eye had a 2-3 mm attached mass with a thick discharge.  Other observations included dog limping; a dog with a cloudy eye; dogs with diarrhea; a dog with runny nose and coughing; a dog with thick, hairless skin covering her tail and around her rear end and a walnut sized firm mass in her left rear mammary gland; a dog with scabs and ulcerations on his muzzle; a dog that was underweight. The licensee stated the underweight dog had weaned puppies about three weeks ago, but hasn’t gained much weight as she fights with other dog over food.

 

 

 

#5 Enforcement Actions were filed against fourteen (14) of Petland Novi’s suppliers

 

The USDA has filed Enforcement Actions against fourteen (14) of Petland Novi’s breeders within the last five years. The violations included failure to provide adequate veterinary care, outdoor housing facilities, health certification and identification, access to records and property, feeding, water, shelter from the elements, adequate primary enclosures, adequate cleaning and pest control. Petland Novi shipped puppies from six (6) of these kennels after Enforcement Actions were issued. One of these violator’s USDA license was revoked.

 

Enforcement Actions were filed against fourteen (14) of Petland Novi’s suppliers over the last five years:

(1)    Shauna Engelken (Kansas), agreed to a settlement 9-Aug-13 which required her to sell or transfer ownership of any dogs on the premises within 12 weeks. Engelken’s license was revoked. Engelken supplied Petland Novi 20 puppies during 2010-2011.

(2)    Kimberly Coleman/TLC’s Kennel (Missouri) was fined $8,250 by the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. 30-May-2010

The following Petland Novi suppliers received an Official Warning Letter.  

(3)     Angelia Kochs, MO 2-Jan-14

(4)     Linda Baker, OK 5-Nov-14

(5)     Mid-America, MO 5-Jun-13

(6)     Judy Raney, KS 26-Jun-13

(7)     Justin & La Nae Jackson, KS 29-Jul-13

(8)     Marla & Roger Campbell, KS 26-Sep-12

(9)     Phyllis Disque, IA 2-Feb-11

(10)   Mark Landers, MO 24-May-11

(11)   Daniel Schlabach, Evergreen Designer, OH 10-Jan-12

(12)   Orus Mast, OH 15-Dec-10

(13)   KimberlyColeman, MO 12-May-14

(14)   Lori Fedders, IA 19-Apr-11

(15)   Hallie Ade, KS 30-Nov-12
 

#6 Petland Novi breeders have been exposed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

 

Petland Novi breeders have been repeatedly exposed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Petland’s large breeder in Missouri - MAM Kennel, was featured in the HSUS’s 2008 eight-month investigation shown on Animal Planet. The kennel was cited for “no vet care for two years…, dogs without even the required minimum of cage space…and several rusted cages with sharp protruding wire. In 2013, four of Petland Novi’s breeders were listed on the HSUS’s “Horrible Hundred” Breeder List. — HSUS Petland Study

 

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) bolstered its campaign against puppy mills by showing over 10,000 photos of sick puppies and harsh kennel conditions taken by the federal agency that licenses commercial breeders. The press release for this website included Rod and Lindsey Rebhan heartbreaking story after purchasing a puppy from Petland Novi.

  

#7 Petland Novi uses puppy brokers or “middlemen”

 

Petland Novi claims to know their breeders well through regular kennel visits; however the store primarily uses brokers who supply puppies from a collection of breeders. Petland Novi uses two brokers: Abe N. Miller/House of Pets/D M L Kennel/Quail Creek Kennel, (Fresno OH) and Patrick Fulton/Fulton Enterprises (Alden MN). Miller supplied 75% of the puppies during the 2014 holiday season - approximately 60 per month. USDA inspection reports showed Miller was not only working with unlicensed breeders, but as a breeder himself, he was also cited for non-compliances to the Animal Welfare Act in the regulated areas of housing, primary enclosures, cleaning, veterinary care, records, compatible grouping, feeding and identification.

 

Linda Baker/Okie Pets (Ketchum, OK) another 2014 broker, was cited for veterinary care in 2012, 2014 and 2015! Enforcement Actions were taken against Baker in 2014 for repeat violations related to veterinary care including English Bulldogs with swollen lesions between their paws, a Pekingese with issues in her eye and Poodles with dental issues.

 

#8 Over 100 complaints have been logged related to Petland Novi

 

Complaints have been reported to local Animal Control, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, PetShopPuppies.org, Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan, and the Better Business Bureau. Many complaints are related to sick puppies sold. Some illnesses, such as Coccidia and Guardia, can be passed to humans. Luxating Patella issue is almost always seen in poor breeding, especially in toy breeds. PetShopPuppies.org revealed the following problems noted by customers who had purchased puppies from Petland Novi. — Petland Novi Complaint Log

o    Allergies

o    Severe vomiting & diarrhea

o    Bloody Diarrhea

o    Bowed Legs

o    Breathing problems

o    Cataracts

o    Coccidia

o    Congenital Megaesophagus

o    Crystals in urine

o    Cysts

o    Demodectic Mange

o    Diarrhea

o    Brain Tumor, died at age 5.

o    Ear infections due to allergies.

o    Ear Mites

o    Giardia

o    Heart Murmur

o    Hermivertebrae

o    Intestinal Parasites          

o    Kennel Cough

o    Kidney failure

o    Luxating Patella

o    Misaligned teeth

o    Probable Tracheal collapse

o    Regurgitation

o    Runny nose

o    Seizures

o    Severe underbite.

o    Sneezing

o    Stomach problems

o    Tooth resorption.

o    Treated for URI while in pet store

o    Underweight

o    Upper respiratory illness

o    URI

o    UTI

#9 Petland Novi has been the subject of local investigations including (WXYZ Detroit) The Investigators 

Not only has the Humane Society of The United States included Petland Novi’s breeders in their investigative reports, but locally, Petland Novi has been exposed on Channel 7 (WXYZ Detroit) twice for selling sick animals. In 2009, a couple purchased a bulldog that later died from pneumonia. One month later, The Investigators were called about more allegations of sick animals. Several attempts had been made to talk to the owners of both of the local Petland stores. They have refused to do an on-camera interview with The Investigators. In 2011, the Michigan Department of Agriculture found that Petland Novi was importing puppies without proper vaccinations and missing certificates (Work Orders 6901 and 7049).  — Rocky’s Story (WXYZ Detroit) and Laci’s Story (WXYZ Detroit)

#10 Petland Novi offers discounts for favorable online reviews.   

Petland Novi increased their favorable YELP reviews by 67% over last year by offering discounts to potential customers. The store claims these are real reviews, but some of these reviews are from shoppers that have not visited the store - Jessica Y. posted “Love them! Can’t wait to adopt a puppy!!! We are planning to go today. I hope this place is more promising than these reviews. I ‘loved’ them on yelp for $200 off.” This is considered unethical by YELP. Most of the favorable reviews were posted recently after the animal advocacy event, Human Chain Rally, was announced in 2014. Many unfavorable can be found online (11 total on Yelp).