Pet Owner's Worst Nightmare: Florida Store Allegedly Sells Defective Dogs

The suit is part of a movement to toughen what are known as "puppy lemon laws."

ByABC News
June 20, 2007, 6:38 PM

June 21, 2007 — -- When Ed Webb brought home his newborn Maltese "Vanna," he never expected that just weeks later he would be putting her to sleep.

The Humane Society is asking a Florida judge to certify a class action lawsuit against a company the group says sells defective puppies like Vanna to unsuspecting pet owners.

While the animal protection organization has long targeted breeders and companies that it believes mistreat pets and other animals, this would be the first class action lawsuit the group has filed in its 53-year history. A civil complaint was filed June 18 against Florida pet store Wizard of Claws for allegedly selling sick, mill-bred puppies.

"[Wizard of Claws] is a very bad actor but is an example of a nationwide problem," said Jonathan Lovvorn, vice president of the animal protection litigation for the Humane Society of the United States. "In this case we had so many people members and others complain to us that we started looking at it."

Wizard of Claws sells dogs from its Pembroke Pines store as well as on its popular Web site where celebrities like Sharon and Kelly Osbourne are listed as satisfied customers. With just a few clicks of a mouse, prospective pet owners can simply browse through a library of photographs and find the puppy they like the best.

Jim Anderson, the owner of Wizard of Claws, tells ABC News he's innocent and is being unfairly targeted. Anderson says that his pet store is one of the best kennels in the world, and that he is the victim of the Humane Society's vendetta against pet stores.

"Their goal is to close all pet stores in the country. They don't want one pet store open," Anderson said. "I have a model facility."    

The civil lawsuit is part of a larger movement to toughen and enforce what are known as "puppy lemon laws." These laws, which vary state to state, are designed to protect pet owners from purchasing sick puppies and ensure buyers get compensation for any veterinary bills. In some states, owners are given the opportunity to receive a replacement puppy.

But many pet owners don't care about the money and are concerned solely about the well-being of their pet, some experts say.