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We're not against Petland being in business. In fact, we welcome them to the Columbus market. We are fortunate to have a pet loving community where stores like Petco, Petsmart, Pet People, Pet Value and more not only survive, but thrive. None of them sell puppies.
We are against pet stores selling puppies when a puppy like Winston, purchased for over $1,000 results in a $6,000 vet bill. Consumer protection is obviously absent, not to mention the heartache the original owner and family had to endure. May 19, 2016
Senator Bob Peterson introduced a new bill that has the same language as the amendment in HB 166. Senate Bill 331 House Bill 573 The bill will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee This happened because people like you picked up the phone and sent an email to let legislators know we are watching and interested in the decisions they are making. Thank you for helping the dogs in high volume kennels. You voice was heard. Now we must work with all interested parties to make SB 331 language that we can all agree upon. As significant progress is made, we will post updates here. Thank you to HSUS & ASPCA in leading the way on this effort. We are lucky to have two wonderful state representatives in Corey Roscoe & Vicki Deisner. May 17, 2016
There was such an outpouring of concern about the pet store amendment in HB 166, sponsors/supporters were forced to introduce a stand alone bill. We will continue to update our Facebook page with the latest details. https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusDogConnection House Bill 573 as introduce May 17, 2016 Senate Bill 331 (linking as soon as possible) It's likely the bills will be heard in the Finance Committees in the House and Senate What is HB 166?A Petland Backed Amendment
Ohio State Senator Bob Peterson (R-17, Wash Court House) is working closely with Petland to pass language that would prohibit local governments from regulating/restricting the sale of dogs that originate from certain sources in an amendment to House Bill 166. This is most certainly in reaction to Grove City’s recent enactment of an ordinance that restricts the sale in the manner that HB 166 seeks to eliminate. Grove City’s ordinance restricts the sale of dogs in its city limits to only those dogs originating from rescues, shelters, etc. This boils down to a preemption issue, which violates Ohio’s “Home Rule.” HB 166 will be voted on next Wednesday, May 11, 9:30 am. Meeting Agenda Read Full Text HB 166 Amendment Columbus Dispatch Article |
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Winston was purchased by a corporate owned Petland in Athens Ohio from a breeder in Indiana.
He was sold to the new owner on August 8, 2014 for $1,027.52 The breeders license was cancelled less than one month later. From the USDA web site: Legal Name ABNER KNEPP Customer No:26006 Certificate No:32-A-0230 Certificate Status:CANCELLED Status Date: Sep 3, 2014 In summary, USDA inspections found: -dogs with ringworm not being treated as per vet instructions on numerous occasions -several dogs had grade 3-4 tartar buildup to the point where the teeth were unable to been at all -dogs with pus pockets in gums -teeth ready to fall out of jaws -dogs with untreated eye issues -dogs with nails that were 1 inch long -maltese with eye crust, drainage and bulging eye -maltese with bulbos sore at the gum line -dirt/grime built up allowing for disease to thrive -breeder aware of issues since 2013, however no vet care was provided since that time Read the full USDA inspections The breeder had 216 adult dogs & 116 puppies at the time of inspections. |
Why is this an Issue?The very recent Petland situation in Grove City is a perfect example. Even though this corporate owned Petland knew they were under the microscope with community members, city council and the Columbus media, they still had a puppy for sale that came from a suspended breeder. They acknowledge they knew the breeder was suspended. They defended themselves by saying the breeder was retiring and this was his last litter. Petland does this knowingly and assumes the status quo of laxed regulations will allow it to again be swept under the rug.
One of the first things Petland boasts about is having a spay/neuter program. Our question then is this: Why doesn't Petland spay/neuter the pups before they sell them? Columbus Dog Connection was recently asked to spay a cat that was purchased from the Bethel Rd Petland for $200. There are no shelters or rescues who adopt out cats without first spaying/neutering them. Quoted directly from the Petland web site: Petland takes its obligation to be part of the community very seriously. Petland is proud of its leadership in the area of public education on spaying and neutering as well as its pro-active adoption program for placement of homeless litters of puppies and kittens, whether from a shelter, pet rescue group or just a member of the local community. At Petland, we believe in doing the right thing for our pets, our customers and the communities in which we serve. A number of important community service programs exist at Petland. How Can You Help?644We don’t ask often. Please take a few moments to be a voice for thousands of dogs that are produced/live in high volume kennels. Call/email members of The Ways and Means Committee as well as your State Rep and State Senator to share your concerns that this language is not good for Ohio.
A vote will likely take place May 11, 2016 at 9:30. Please attend or make your voice heard for dogs like Winston. Find your State Senator & Representative www.Legislature.Ohio.gov Ways & Means Committee (all 614 area code) Senator Peterson 466-8156 Senator Beagle 466-6247 Senator Tavares 466-5131 Senator Balderson 466- 8076 Senator Cafaro 466- 7182 Senator Eklund 644- 7718 Senator Hackett 466- 3780 Senator Jordan 466- 8086 Senator LaRose 466- 4823 Senator Williams 466- 4857 Peterson@ohiosenate.gov , Beagle@ohiosenate.gov , Tavares@ohiosenate.gov , Balderson@ohiosenate.gov , Cafaro@ohiosenate.gov , Eklund@ohiosenate.gov , Hackett@ohiosenate.gov , Jordan@ohiosenate.gov , LaRose@ohiosenate.gov , Williams@ohiosenate.gov Sample Letter
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Winston's Story
Winston is a Petland Puppy. He was purchased from Petland at 11 weeks old. Just three months later Winston became quite ill, thin and lethargic. Rounds of testing were done and it was found that Winston had a suspected congenital liver shunt. Two month later and $1000's of dollars later the diagnosis was confirmed. Winston was going to need a lifesaving surgery which would cost at least $4000 more. The owners had the choice of returning Winston to Petland and trading him in for a new puppy, or treating Winston and Petland possibly helping by paying up to $500 in veterinary bills. Even with the additional warranty, Petland would only cover up to $500. Not being able to afford thousands of dollars of medical care, Winston's owner turned him over to the Franklin County Dog Shelter. At that point Winston's life was on the line. He was not eligible for adoption due to his congenital shunt and his only hope was having a rescue step up for him. Winston was one of the lucky ones, a rescue did come to his aid. While Winston was in rescue, the rescue contacted the Athens, OH Petland store where Winston was purchased to see if any of the needed veterinary care would be covered under the Pet Warranty provided by Petland. The rescue was informed that Winston's warranty was null and void and Petland would not be assisting with the costs. At that same point in time, another rescue group had a meeting scheduled with the top Petland officials. Winston was a subject of discussion at that meeting. The top officials said they would check into the matter and were given Winston's information and contact information for the rescue who had Winston. It is now one year later and Winston's rescuers have yet to receive any contact from Petland. Petland failed and betrayed one of their own dogs. Winston is just one story, how many others must suffer the same fate? 
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