People often don't realize they are doing business with puppy mill operators, "puppy con artists," or both, said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel as she announced her consumer protection team will pursue deceptions involving pets more than any other Michigan AG has before.
Nessel said a big part of the problem begins with puppy mills.
"Puppy mills are inhumane. Dog breeding operations that keep dogs in overcrowded and unhealthy conditions are not regulated or licensed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.," Nessel says.
Some people are given a puppy different from the one they thought they had purchased. Some people are sold puppies that the sellers are aware are sick. And some people are simply conned out of their money altogether, never receiving a puppy.
Nessel said puppy mill operators conceal the way they treat their puppies and the horrible conditions of a puppy mill by meeting buyers at other locations or online.
Puppy mill puppies can also be found at pet stores. And scams involving sick puppies can result in heartache for the buyer and incredibly high bills for veterinary care.
"My office will make it a priority to protect Michigan residents from unscrupulous puppy con artists who break our state's consumer protection laws in an attempt to line their pockets at the expense of animal welfare," said Nessel.
