Missouri Puppy Mill Operator Posing as Rescue Organization

The Humane Society of the United States has submitted a complaint to Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster requesting an investigation of the purported dog "rescue" group operated by state-licensed dog breeder Wendy Laymon. The HSUS' complaint contends that Laymon is violating the state's consumer protection law, also known as the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, by deceiving the public into believing that the dogs in her operation are rescued from other facilities, when in fact many of the dogs may be coming directly from her puppy mill.

"This is only one example of the corruption that is prevalent in the high-volume dog breeding industry," said Barbara Schmitz, Missouri state director for The Humane Society of the United States. "This puppy mill operator is not only profiting from breeding dogs in an inhumane manner, but now is also profiting by misrepresenting her operation and playing on the emotions of people who care about dogs and want to rescue them."

The HSUS named Laymon's breeding facility, Shadow Mountain Kennel, as one of the worst licensed puppy mills in the state in its 2010 and 2011"Missouri's Dirty Dozen" reports. The kennel received a "dishonorable mention" in both reports based on consumer complaints about sick and dying puppies Laymon allegedly sold over the Internet, as well as USDA and state inspection records citing Laymon for numerous violations of federal and state welfare standards. The violations included excessively matted dogs, inadequate veterinary care, and dirty housing conditions. In 2009, the USDA fined Laymon $7,125 for repeated violations and suspended her license for three years. However, Laymon continues to be licensed by the Missouri Department of Agriculture even though she has been cited by that agency at least 36 times for animal care violations. 

HSUS' complaint to the Attorney General explains that in April 2010 Laymon created the non-profit "rescue" operation, "Rescue A French Bulldog." The "rescue" primarily operates through the website, rescueafrenchbulldog.com, where Laymon offers French Bulldogs to the public for "adoption fees" that range from $500 to $950.  Laymon also uses the website to solicit "donations," ostensibly to help feed and care for the dogs. Based on inside information HSUS received from a former consultant of Laymon's, it appears that Laymon created this "rescue" to entice dog-lovers into buying dogs from her facility that she might not otherwise be able to sell, and to circumvent anticipated changes in state laws regulating dog breeders. The HSUS believes this situation has become more common as consumers are becoming aware of the abuses that occur at puppy mills.

To avoid unscrupulous puppy sellers, HSUS recommends always visiting a rescue group or breeder in person and avoiding Internet-only transactions. Consumers who wish to file a complaint about an unscrupulous puppy seller are encouraged to contact The HSUS at http://www.humanesociety.org/puppycomplaint

Missouri Puppy Mills May Owe Millions in Unpaid Sales Taxes

A coalition of dog protection advocates has presented the Missouri Department of Revenue with evidence of potential tax fraud in Missouri’s puppy mill industry, and requested an industry-wide investigation into a possible tax-evasion scheme that could be costing the people of Missouri several million dollars a year in lost revenue.

An investigation of Missouri puppy mills revealed that many of the facilities – some of which have more than 100 adult dogs on site – were not collecting sales tax on retail dog purchases, a clear violation of the Missouri tax code. The 11 large-scale puppy mills identified in the investigation may owe the state Department of Revenue more than $70,000 between them in sales tax annually. When this level of non-compliance is multiplied by the number of sales made by the 1,523 state-licensed commercial breeders and dealers in the state, it appears the state could be losing several million dollars a year to unscrupulous puppy dealers.

“The puppy mill industry has repeatedly shown a shocking level of disregard for the laws of this state,” said Barbara Schmitz, Missouri State Director for the Humane Society of the United States. “It seems animals are not the only victims of this industry’s greed – Missouri taxpayers are being fleeced as well.”

All 11 of the commercial puppy mills sampled also have long histories of violating  animal welfare standards, as documented in both federal and state inspection reports. Several of these facilities have been cited for allowing their dogs to live in their own waste without access to clean food and water, as well as for egregious veterinary care violations. Thus, not only are they depriving the animals in their care of the humane treatment they deserve, but these commercial breeders are also depriving the citizens of Missouri of much-needed funds during this tough economy.