Lawsuit Bankrupts Pet Seller

"Wizard of Claws", which sells dogs online and in Florida, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last week. Wizard of Claws also does business under the names "Celebrity Kennels Inc.", "Dog Breeder Kennel Inc." and "Puppies for Sale Inc." The company focuses on Yorkies, poodles, pugs, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Papillons and miniature Pinschers.

Wizard of Claws is being sued for allegedly defrauding customers by selling sick and dying puppies with severe health problems and genetic defects. Lawyers for the Humane Society of the United States, who are seeking class certification, say this is the first such suit nationwide. "It's extremely uncommon for these people to have to answer to their customers," said an attorney for HSUS. "Most of these cases wind up in small claims court."

The Court has not yet ruled on whether to certify a class. The suit has six plaintiffs, but attorneys said they have interviewed more than 100 people who bought puppies from Wizard of Claws and spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on vet bills.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for the proposed class members, and injunctive relief against any further sale of puppies by Wizard of Claws, its owners and its corporate affiliates. The plaintiffs are represented on a pro bono basis by the New York, Miami and Houston offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

Source: pet-abuse.com