Case Details


Case Snapshot
Case ID: 8324
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment, Other
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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Puppy mill - 250 puppies
Douglassville, PA (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, May 2, 2004
County: Berks

Disposition: Civil Case

Person of Interest: Traci Murai

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

The state Attorney General yesterday, May 2, 2006, filed suit against a Berks County woman for allegedly selling sick dogs and deceiving customers under Pennsylvania's "puppy lemon law."

The suit alleges that Traci Murai, a licensed kennel operator in Douglassville, sold imported English bulldog puppies to consumers around the country and required them to sign a contract waiving their rights under the state's lemon law.

"This is a particularly egregious case," said Barbara Petito, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Tom Corbett. "She was allegedly selling sick and diseased animals and was deliberately deceiving consumers about what their rights are if they purchase dogs." Since 2004, Murai sold 250 puppies for as much as $2,400 each, according to the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Among them were at least seven puppies that suffered from various diseases or defects - fatal in three instances. The illnesses cost owners more than $11,000 in veterinarians' bills, Petito said. Murai's attorney, Steven Nierenberg, said his client was aware of only three complaints about sick puppies, and one customer got her money back. Murai "did not know they were sick and diseased at the time they were sold," said Nierenberg. "She wanted to comply and sell happy, healthy puppies; that was her intent."

Murai's Web site - www.bulliepupsrus.com - boasts of her "passion for animals" and her concern about "the health and welfare" of her puppies, imported from South Africa and Russia and sold via the Internet throughout the United States.

The suit came as Gov. Rendell issued a pledge to crack down on Pennsylvania's growing number of "puppy mills," large dog-breeding farms where animals are housed in crowded, filthy conditions. In the last six months, Rendell convened a panel of experts to make recommendations and review proposed changed to the state's dog law. The 1997 "puppy lemon law" provides limited warranty protection for consumers who purchase sick dogs.

Yesterday's lawsuit seeks restitution for the cost of the dogs, as well as civil penalties of up to $3,000 per violation. The suit also asks the court to shut down the kennel until restitution, fines and costs are paid.

Consumers who want to file complaints in this case or others should contact the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 1-800-441-2555.


Case Updates

Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced a court order that prohibits a Berks County dog seller from ever selling dogs again in Pennsylvania.

Corbett identified the dog seller as Traci Murai, the operator of Bullie Pups R Us at 313 W. Morlatton Road, Douglassville, Berks County. Murai specialized in the selling of imported English bull dogs and also operated a kennel.

"Today's action puts Bullie Pups R Us out of business in Pennsylvania," said Corbett.

The court order, known as a consent petition for a final decree, was filed today in Berks County Court and stems from a 2006 a lawsuit Corbett filed against Murai claiming that she sold consumers puppies that were sick, had infectious diseases, congenital or genetic defects or were falsely represented as healthy dogs.

Corbett said consumers complained to the Attorney General's Office that the puppies required veterinary care after the dogs were diagnosed with a variety of illnesses.

The lawsuit also claimed that Murai required customers to sign a contract that was located on her business website that included a provision requiring consumers to forfeit their legal rights afforded them under Pennsylvania's Puppy Lemon Law.

In addition to the prohibition of breeding and selling dogs in Pennsylvania, Murai is also prohibited from selling, transferring or delivering puppies to consumers living in Pennsylvania.

Furthermore, Corbett said if Murai moves business outside of Pennsylvania, she is required to put a disclaimer on her website stating that she is prohibited from selling dogs to Pennsylvania consumers.

The court order also requires Murai to pay $25,000, which includes $14,964 in consumer restitution, $5,000 in penalties and $5,000 for future public protection and education purposes.

Corbett said this consent petition is important to the consumers in Pennsylvania because it prohibits Murai from ever selling dogs to Pennsylvania consumers again.

Corbett said the consent petition was filed today in Berks County Court of Common Pleas by Deputy Attorney General Julia Fisher.
Source: Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office Press Release - Oct 31, 2008
Update posted on Nov 7, 2008 - 9:13AM 

References

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