CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #9971 Rating: 2.3 out of 5
Pet store neglect
West Jordan, UT (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Dec 31, 2005
County: Salt Lake
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: The Puppy Palace
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
In West Jordan, three misdemeanors counts were leveled against Puppy Palace at 2766 W. 9000 South in a hotly contested legal battle that has prompted two trials, two guilty verdicts and now a sentencing in which fines of $11,100 are possible.
Although the company was found guilty in West Jordan's justice court of two class-B misdemeanors of animal cruelty and a misdemeanor count of not displaying a business license, that verdict was appealed to district court, where a new trial was held. Third District Judge Stephen Roth delivered the same verdict after a bench trial.
James Dunn, attorney for The Puppy Palace, said the case is the result of a "decided bias" against this particular kind of business, and no animals were abused, neglected or deprived of medical care.
A search warrant served at the business in January, just a month after it opened, resulted in the findings of lack of veterinary care and not providing the animals with water for a period as long as 18 hours.
But Dunn said those charges were drummed up after officials failed to find what they were really looking for, evidence that any of the puppies may have had parvo. "They didn't find it, because it wasn't there, but they had brought in half a dozen police officers, two veterinarians and a bunch of animal control officers. They had to justify their efforts in being there," Dunn said.
West Jordan Animal Control officer Justin Hanney tells a different story. He described a "puppy purveyor" who has been the subject of hundreds of complaints from consumers and visitors to the business who said they were appalled by the conditions.
"It's just a terrible environment - it's bad," Hanney said.
Hanney said the business has space for maybe 20 to 30 puppies but on average, 80-plus animals are crammed into a living environment in which the animals are covered in their own feces and in which ringworm was rampant.
"Even with the guilty verdict, I am still getting calls," Hanney said.
Hanney said many customers have paid for pricey puppies only to have them die within days - resulting in consumer complaints in addition to animal cruelty concerns.
Dunn said West Jordan city officials have made it so difficult for the Puppy Palace, he wouldn't be surprised if the owners closed up shop and left town.
For their part, city officials have been waiting for the conclusion of the criminal case before pursuing any licensing actions.
Case Updates| The Puppy Palace lost their appeal and a guilty verdict was handed down again. They are to be sentenced today. | Source: Deseret Morning News - Nov 6, 2006
Update posted on Nov 6, 2006 - 5:34AM |
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