Humane Society of the United States accusing Petland of using puppy mills

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The Humane Society of the United States has released documents alleging that Petland store in the Suncoast use puppy mills to obtain animals sold in stores.

The allegations are not new, but the evidence has been released in the form of a 160 page document. According to the document, the Humane Society alleges that public records show Petland Sarasota received dogs from four known brokers: Missouri-based Tiffanie and Conrad’s Cuddly Canines and Ohio-based Preferred Canines and Golden Seal Canines.

Photos in the report purport to show dogs in tightly confined areas. One photo shows a German Shepherd dog standing in what appears to be either mud or feces.

In 2021, the Manatee County Commission voted to suspend retail sales of dogs and cats, but Petland Bradenton and others appealed the decision and have been allowed to continue sales to allow for evidence to be submitted.

Attorney Michael Beltran is representing two franchises of Petland in regards to the pet ban and tells ABC7 they have not received any such documents from the Humane Society.

“I can tell you that my clients all inform me that it is the strict Petland policy to purchase only from reputable and licensed USDA breeders, and that any breeders whose practices come into question are immediately discontinued both by the Petland Franchisee and by Petland Corporate. If any party wishes to furnish us with evidence that any breeder has not operated according to law, I will immediately forward that information to my clients for appropriate action. I am surprised that this document has apparently been furnished to both the County and the Press but that nobody has seen fit to furnish it to us,” said Beltran.

This story is developing.