Couple Claims Store Sold Them Sick Puppy
Michael George - Today's TMJ 4 - Milwaukee
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/12996042.html

KENOSHA - A Kenosha couple is claiming a pet store sold them a puppy, even though they knew it was sick. The puppy eventually had to be put down.

Annabelle was a dachshund puppy, just a few months old, when Krista and Craig Kennedy of Kenosha bought her. Two days after they brought her home, the puppy started having seizures.

"It was unbelievably traumatic," Krista said.

Annabelle had violent seizures several times a day. The couple took her to veterinarians, even a neurologist. Multiple tests and $5,000 later, Annabelle had to be put to sleep.

"Nobody should have to do that. Nobody should have to watch their dog seizure to death," Krista said.

The Kennedys say the Petland store in Racine sold them a very sick dog. The store owner sent TODAY'S TMJ4 a statement, reading, in part, "That just doesn't make sense. We would not have allowed this puppy to leave the store had we known of the complications."

The Petland company Web site says all puppies are checked out by two veterinarians and are examined by store employees daily.

The Kennedys claim a store employee mentioned that she noticed symptoms of Annabelle's illness before they sold her.

Petland has agreed to refund the cost of the puppy and a small portion of the medical bills. Annabelle's owners say the store needs to take better care of its dogs.

"We do not want anyone to have to live the tragedy and endure the pain that we have in the last three weeks," Krista said.

None of the veterinarians could figure out what caused Annabelle's seizures.

Petland is being boycotted by several animal rights groups for allegedly selling puppies that have come from puppy mills.