CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Petland, one of Ohio’s largest pet retailers, is facing serious allegations following a lawsuit filed earlier this year. The lawsuit claims that Petland knowingly sold a sick dog to a family and failed to rectify the situation.
The plaintiffs allege that Petland was aware of the animal’s condition but did not disclose this information before the purchase was made. They cite emotional distress and financial loss due to the dog’s health issues. The lawsuit includes seven claims against Petland related to the health of the dog, emotional distress, and the cost of medical bills related to the animal’s illness. The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $25,000.
This is not the first time Petland has faced scrutiny over its practices. Over the years, allegations have surfaced that Petland sources many of their pets from what critics have termed “Puppy Mills.”
In a separate incident, a resident shared their personal experience of purchasing a German Shepherd from the Petland on North Bridge Street in Chillicothe. The family alleges that the dog, now over three years old, had severe respiratory issues immediately after purchase and continues to have health problems, including seizures.
The Humane Society of the United States, a vocal critic of the company, claims that Petland is the “largest retailer of puppy mill dogs in the country.” The organization has submitted a petition to the Federal Trade Commission alleging that the company “routinely deceives consumers into believing the dogs they sell are raised humanely, vet-checked and guaranteed healthy by multiple warranties.”
The Humane Society also states that between the fall of 2018 and July of 2022, their private investigation revealed “very sick, suffering puppies, including animals with seizures, respiratory infections” at stores in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Virginia, Kentucky, and Kansas. They also claim to have found dead animals in freezers at five stores. These claims could not be independently verified by The Guardian. Their reports can be found at www.humanesociety.org/petland.
Petland released a statement saying:
“An Ohio-based business since 1967, Petland has NEVER sourced pets from “puppy mills.” Our professional breeders are regulated and inspected by the USDA and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and they must be without a single violation for in the past two years. Petland’s professional breeder partners operate at levels far exceeding USDA federal standards. Many of our breeders, especially in Ohio are also now operating by Purdue University’s Canine Care Certified standards, which are based in scientific research and far and above exceed USDA’s federal regulations. Some may be interested to know that Petland is more regulated than Ohio’s daycares.
Petland operates openly and ethically. We want to connect the right pet with the right individual or family. That is our mission, and how Petland has operated for nearly 57 years.
Because they are living beings, like babies, puppies can get sick. Unlike the internet seller or the back yard breeder, Petland offers a Puppy Health Warranty to help new families avoid any unforeseen medical cost if the puppy becomes ill after it goes home. In the event a puppy inhouse is undergoing medical treatment for an illness or condition, they do not appear in the store’s online puppy album, nor are they in the window and available for visits or for sale until they are well. A puppy receiving treatment must be cleared by the store’s state-licensed veterinarian before he/she can be marketed and made available to our guests.
In addition, medical records are kept for every Petland puppy from birth until they go to their forever family. Every puppy that arrives at a Petland store has been examined and has begun its series of vaccinations while with its breeder. These exams and vaccines are administered by a state-licensed veterinarian. Once they arrive in a Petland store, they are examined by the store’s local, state-licensed veterinarian, who develops the pet’s course for care. Our trained animal care technicians monitor each puppy’s weight, food and water intake and waste, bathing/grooming and provide socialization several times a day.
For many years, animal rights activists have been using misleading rhetoric, antiquated imagery, and myths about Petland to generate publicity to raise money for their own operational functions. As indicated in the attached copy of HSUS’s latest IRS Form 990, unfortunately, just one percent (1-cent of every dollar) donated by caring animal lovers ever makes its way to U.S. animals in need at humane societies and animal shelters. Meanwhile, Petland continues to evolve its business model with animal welfare as its highest priority.”
Maria Smith
Communications Director
Petland, Inc.
The company went on to say, “Of the 36 consumer complaints received by the Ohio Attorney General, 12 (representing 0.02% of puppies sold in the last five years) were related to pet health. Ten of the 36 claims were related to financing issues with third-party finance companies. In 2021, Petland reviewed and modified its consumer credit policy, which now caps the annual percentage rate at 39.99% and prohibits any consumer credit product that violates state usury laws or consumer credit laws.”
As this legal battle unfolds, the allegations against Petland raise serious questions about the pet retail industry and its oversight.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to include a statement from Petland.