WHO:
Pam and Joe Colaninno, Owners of The Puppy Patch
1044 Main Street, Watertown, CT 06795
Isaac Martin
Ohio Dog Breeder - USDA #31A0015
Sells dogs to The Puppy Patch
WHY:
The Puppy Patch has purchased dogs from Isaac Martin of Shiloh, OH, and sold them to unsuspecting customers in their Watertown, CT. store. Isaac Martin has received NUMEROUS citations and has CONSISTENTLY failed United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspections. You can read the entire inspection report for yourself here
But the summary of it is, the USDA/APHIS has found Mr. Martin in violation of basic health requirements (such as "THE ACCUMULATION OF WASTE IS CAUSED BY INFREQUENT CLEANING. THIS COMBINED WITH THE ENCLOSURE AROUND THE WASHDOWN AREA HAS INCREASED AMMONIA LEVELS. THIS WILL AFFECT THEIR (THE DOGS) HEALTH, COMFORT AND WELL-BEING"
Read more here,
and tell The Puppy Patch and Mr. Issac Martin - "SHAME ON YOU!!"
Friday, March 19, 2010
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, March 15
Getting a dog shouldn't be easy
Letter to the Editor
I would like to say how sorry I am to the Muniz family who endured the heart-wrenching loss of their pet. They were sold a sick animal and lost more than $2,000 trying to save it. This is sad but an all too common by-product of the puppy mill trade.
The Muniz family probably thought that when Ms. DiCarlo said her dogs were from local breeders, she did not mean Missouri. That when Ms. DiCarlo said she was not working with puppy mills, her dogs were not arriving in a windowless trailer truck from the Hunte Corporation. The same Hunte Corporation that ships more than 2,000 puppies a week and is being sued by the Humane Society of the United States for misrepresenting to consumers that their puppies are healthy and come from high quality breeders, when, in fact, many of them come from factory farms.
The truth is that getting a dog should never be as easy as picking up a quart of milk. If you are not going to a shelter to adopt a dog, you need to go to the breeder directly. This is the only way to be sure it is a reputable breeder. Its legitimacy is not via the AKC or other acronym approval, it is your ability to see where the dog is kept and, most importantly, to meet its mother.
What happened to the Muniz family is emotionally and financially horrible; it would be worse, however, if this happened and no lessons were learned from it.
Jenny Bocchino
Great Hill Road, March 15
Letter to the Editor
I would like to say how sorry I am to the Muniz family who endured the heart-wrenching loss of their pet. They were sold a sick animal and lost more than $2,000 trying to save it. This is sad but an all too common by-product of the puppy mill trade.
The Muniz family probably thought that when Ms. DiCarlo said her dogs were from local breeders, she did not mean Missouri. That when Ms. DiCarlo said she was not working with puppy mills, her dogs were not arriving in a windowless trailer truck from the Hunte Corporation. The same Hunte Corporation that ships more than 2,000 puppies a week and is being sued by the Humane Society of the United States for misrepresenting to consumers that their puppies are healthy and come from high quality breeders, when, in fact, many of them come from factory farms.
The truth is that getting a dog should never be as easy as picking up a quart of milk. If you are not going to a shelter to adopt a dog, you need to go to the breeder directly. This is the only way to be sure it is a reputable breeder. Its legitimacy is not via the AKC or other acronym approval, it is your ability to see where the dog is kept and, most importantly, to meet its mother.
What happened to the Muniz family is emotionally and financially horrible; it would be worse, however, if this happened and no lessons were learned from it.
Jenny Bocchino
Great Hill Road, March 15
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, March 11
Puppy mills and the truth
Letters to the Editor
Christine DiCarlo seems not to know truth from a dead dog. If you buy Hormel meat from Stop & Shop, you have bought Hormel meat. If you buy puppies from a puppy mill broker, you have bought puppy mill dogs. Christine DiCarlo may be stupid, but we are not.
Christine DiCarlo flat out lied in saying "Nothing is coming from puppy mills." She flat out lied in telling me she would only get her pups from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut.
She flat out lied when she told me should would personally pick up her dogs and knew the breeders. I have witnesses to each of these falsehoods.
To reiterate a virtual fact, all puppy stores get their stock from puppy mills. If they say they do not, they are ignorant or lying.
Ms. DiCarlo ought to be selling paper goods and pencils, leaving the sale of these marvelous and sentient creatures to those for whom dogs come before dollars.
John Katz
Ridgebury Road, March 11
Letters to the Editor
Christine DiCarlo seems not to know truth from a dead dog. If you buy Hormel meat from Stop & Shop, you have bought Hormel meat. If you buy puppies from a puppy mill broker, you have bought puppy mill dogs. Christine DiCarlo may be stupid, but we are not.
Christine DiCarlo flat out lied in saying "Nothing is coming from puppy mills." She flat out lied in telling me she would only get her pups from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut.
She flat out lied when she told me should would personally pick up her dogs and knew the breeders. I have witnesses to each of these falsehoods.
To reiterate a virtual fact, all puppy stores get their stock from puppy mills. If they say they do not, they are ignorant or lying.
Ms. DiCarlo ought to be selling paper goods and pencils, leaving the sale of these marvelous and sentient creatures to those for whom dogs come before dollars.
John Katz
Ridgebury Road, March 11
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, March 11
Puppy issue is nauseating
Letter to the Editor
Having just read the letter "Truck Unloads Midwest Puppies" (March 11), I am nauseated by what I read, that such utterly compassion-less dealings go on in this town of what is considered to be an educated society.
How on earth can this ghastly puppy-selling business be allowed to continue, when strong evidence exists that it is supporting puppy mill breeders and lying about where the puppies come from? The attorney general and animal rights organizations should take action immediately to investigate it, and follow the trail right back to the point of the original breeders, and close them, and this store and the Hunte's delivery business down. Ridgefield zoning be ashamed for allowing this type of cruel, ignorant, exploitational business to go on in our town.
Danny Cutting
73 Holmes Road, March 11
Letter to the Editor
Having just read the letter "Truck Unloads Midwest Puppies" (March 11), I am nauseated by what I read, that such utterly compassion-less dealings go on in this town of what is considered to be an educated society.
How on earth can this ghastly puppy-selling business be allowed to continue, when strong evidence exists that it is supporting puppy mill breeders and lying about where the puppies come from? The attorney general and animal rights organizations should take action immediately to investigate it, and follow the trail right back to the point of the original breeders, and close them, and this store and the Hunte's delivery business down. Ridgefield zoning be ashamed for allowing this type of cruel, ignorant, exploitational business to go on in our town.
Danny Cutting
73 Holmes Road, March 11
Monday, March 15, 2010
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, March 15
True Breeders resumes puppy sales after state lifts quarantine
by Macklin Reid
Link Here
True Breeders, the Branchville puppy store closed by the state two weeks ago, passed an inspection by Connecticut Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis today and has reopened.
The store Route 7 has state approval to resume all aspects of its business, including the sale of dogs.
“The state animal control officer went down, conducted an inspection of the facility this morning, didn’t notice any animals exhibiting signs of illness, and the store subsequently passed inspection and she’s ready to go,” said Ray Connors, animal control supervisor with the State Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Connors said Monday morning’s inspection was carried out by Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis, who had imposed a quarantine on the store March 5 after a puppy sold by True Breeders was diagnosed with canine parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that is often fatal.
True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo confirmed in an e-mail Saturday had she had refunded Victor and Cheryl Muniz of Wilton the $1,603 purchase price of the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy they’d bought. The dog was put down after it failed to respond well to treatment for parvovirus, which the dog was diagnosed with a few days after being sold.
Ms. Muniz told The Press Friday that she’d been reimbursed the cost of the dog, but was still seeking restitution for more than $2,700 in veterinary bills run up during the dog’s illness.
“Yes, I refunded them 1,603, the price of the puppy,” Ms. DiCarlo said. “All our other puppies are healthy, no other puppy has been diagnosed with parvo.”
Although there has been talk circulating that another puppy had been diagnosed with parvovirus, Mr. Connors confirmed Friday and again Monday that the state Department of Agriculture had received no report of a second parvo case related to Ms. DiCarlo’s store.
“Any veterinarian would notify us,” he said. “I’ve checked around the office and nobody’s heard anything about another parvo puppy. The rumor mill spins.”
Symptoms of canine parvovirus include diarrhea, often with bloody feces, and sometimes by vomiting.
Many puppies have immunity inherited from their mother, but that wears off. To be protected against canine parvovirus, puppies need to be vaccinated after the maternal immunity has worn off — the maternal immunity can prevent the vaccine from working — but before the dog is exposed to the disease. This is one of the main reasons dogs get a series of puppy shots — to bracket the time immunity wears off.
“Most of those puppies will lose their maternal immunity at 16 weeks,” said Dr. Bruce Sherman, a veterinarian and Director of the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection with the state Department of Agriculture. “If you’ve had a series starting at six weeks and going to 20, you’d probably be safe.”
Most older dogs have that have had their shots kept up retain an immunity. Cats are susceptible to feline parvovirus, but not known to get the canine strain of the disease.
Canine parvovirus is not know to cause disease in humans.
by Macklin Reid
Link Here
True Breeders, the Branchville puppy store closed by the state two weeks ago, passed an inspection by Connecticut Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis today and has reopened.
The store Route 7 has state approval to resume all aspects of its business, including the sale of dogs.
“The state animal control officer went down, conducted an inspection of the facility this morning, didn’t notice any animals exhibiting signs of illness, and the store subsequently passed inspection and she’s ready to go,” said Ray Connors, animal control supervisor with the State Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Connors said Monday morning’s inspection was carried out by Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis, who had imposed a quarantine on the store March 5 after a puppy sold by True Breeders was diagnosed with canine parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that is often fatal.
True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo confirmed in an e-mail Saturday had she had refunded Victor and Cheryl Muniz of Wilton the $1,603 purchase price of the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy they’d bought. The dog was put down after it failed to respond well to treatment for parvovirus, which the dog was diagnosed with a few days after being sold.
Ms. Muniz told The Press Friday that she’d been reimbursed the cost of the dog, but was still seeking restitution for more than $2,700 in veterinary bills run up during the dog’s illness.
“Yes, I refunded them 1,603, the price of the puppy,” Ms. DiCarlo said. “All our other puppies are healthy, no other puppy has been diagnosed with parvo.”
Although there has been talk circulating that another puppy had been diagnosed with parvovirus, Mr. Connors confirmed Friday and again Monday that the state Department of Agriculture had received no report of a second parvo case related to Ms. DiCarlo’s store.
“Any veterinarian would notify us,” he said. “I’ve checked around the office and nobody’s heard anything about another parvo puppy. The rumor mill spins.”
Symptoms of canine parvovirus include diarrhea, often with bloody feces, and sometimes by vomiting.
Many puppies have immunity inherited from their mother, but that wears off. To be protected against canine parvovirus, puppies need to be vaccinated after the maternal immunity has worn off — the maternal immunity can prevent the vaccine from working — but before the dog is exposed to the disease. This is one of the main reasons dogs get a series of puppy shots — to bracket the time immunity wears off.
“Most of those puppies will lose their maternal immunity at 16 weeks,” said Dr. Bruce Sherman, a veterinarian and Director of the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection with the state Department of Agriculture. “If you’ve had a series starting at six weeks and going to 20, you’d probably be safe.”
Most older dogs have that have had their shots kept up retain an immunity. Cats are susceptible to feline parvovirus, but not known to get the canine strain of the disease.
Canine parvovirus is not know to cause disease in humans.
The Hunte Connection - Where True Breeders gets their puppies
Ridgefield pet store, True Breeders, has made several statements about where their puppies are from - including the Hunte Corporation of Missouri. Please visit these links to read about the Hunte Corporation and why you should NOT purchase a Hunte puppy:
USDA INSPECTION REPORTS - citing the Hunte Corporation for numerous violations, such as sale of puppies under the minimum age of 8 weeks, failure to provide safe, adequate shelter, and incomplete or missing medical records.
Find out more about the Hunte Corporation USDA inspection reports by clicking here
Other links:
From Prisoners of Greed: The Hunte Corporation - A Commercial Puppy Broker
From Companion Animal Protection Society: Undercover Videos at the Hunte Corporation: An Expose of America's largest Supplier of Pet Shop Puppies
From Petstore Cruelty: The Hunte Corp.
USDA INSPECTION REPORTS - citing the Hunte Corporation for numerous violations, such as sale of puppies under the minimum age of 8 weeks, failure to provide safe, adequate shelter, and incomplete or missing medical records.
Find out more about the Hunte Corporation USDA inspection reports by clicking here
Other links:
From Prisoners of Greed: The Hunte Corporation - A Commercial Puppy Broker
From Companion Animal Protection Society: Undercover Videos at the Hunte Corporation: An Expose of America's largest Supplier of Pet Shop Puppies
From Petstore Cruelty: The Hunte Corp.
Bronx Dog Fighters Face Justice - THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
MORE INFO HERE:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/06/15/2008-06-15_16_pitbulls_found_in_bronx_dogfighting_h.html
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/13875/NY/US/
http://stopdogfightingnownyc.wetpaint.com/page/Bronx%20Dog%20Fighters%20Found%20Guilty-%20Sentencing%20on%20Wednesday,%20March%2017,%202010
On March 17, 2010, Alexander Estephane and Juan Toledo, convicted dog fighters, will be sentenced by Judge Cassandra Mullen in Bronx County Supreme Court – 265 East 165th Street – Bronx, NY 10451 – Part 22 – 9:00 A.M.
NYC animal advocates, humane organizations, community boards, politicians and the public, have thus far responded with a deafening silence, only a handful attending the trial. ATTEND THE SENTENCING! PACK THE COURTROOM AND THE STREET OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE! We must unite and show our support for the victims. DO NOT LET THEIR DEATHS BE IN VAIN.
Alexander Estephane, 45, of 108 East 179th Street, the Bronx, and Juan Toledo, 40, of Paterson, New Jersey, were found guilty of one count of Prohibition of Animal Fighting of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law. The jury convicted Estephane under section 351-2(d) which makes it illegal to permit animal fighting to occur on a premises that is under his control. Toledo was convicted under section 351-2(a) which prohibits causing an animal to engage in fighting for amusement or gain. The prohibition of animal fighting is an unclassified felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 4 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $25,000.
The crime occurred on June 14, 2008 in the basement of Estephane’s home which had been converted into a dog fighting ring made of plywood. Authorities recovered 16 pit bulls, including a badly injured dog in a cage that later succumbed to its wounds. Other animals were rescued from cages in other areas of the house
and in the backyard.
Investigators also recovered break sticks, which were used to disengage fighting dogs by unlocking their jaws, and syringes filled with testosterone to make
the animals more aggressive.
The discovery of this illegal enterprise involving animal cruelty was the result of information developed by the New Jersey State Police during an investigation into dog fighting in New Jersey.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Elizabeth Brandler and James Goward of the Rackets Bureau.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/06/15/2008-06-15_16_pitbulls_found_in_bronx_dogfighting_h.html
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/13875/NY/US/
http://stopdogfightingnownyc.wetpaint.com/page/Bronx%20Dog%20Fighters%20Found%20Guilty-%20Sentencing%20on%20Wednesday,%20March%2017,%202010
On March 17, 2010, Alexander Estephane and Juan Toledo, convicted dog fighters, will be sentenced by Judge Cassandra Mullen in Bronx County Supreme Court – 265 East 165th Street – Bronx, NY 10451 – Part 22 – 9:00 A.M.
NYC animal advocates, humane organizations, community boards, politicians and the public, have thus far responded with a deafening silence, only a handful attending the trial. ATTEND THE SENTENCING! PACK THE COURTROOM AND THE STREET OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE! We must unite and show our support for the victims. DO NOT LET THEIR DEATHS BE IN VAIN.
Alexander Estephane, 45, of 108 East 179th Street, the Bronx, and Juan Toledo, 40, of Paterson, New Jersey, were found guilty of one count of Prohibition of Animal Fighting of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law. The jury convicted Estephane under section 351-2(d) which makes it illegal to permit animal fighting to occur on a premises that is under his control. Toledo was convicted under section 351-2(a) which prohibits causing an animal to engage in fighting for amusement or gain. The prohibition of animal fighting is an unclassified felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 4 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $25,000.
The crime occurred on June 14, 2008 in the basement of Estephane’s home which had been converted into a dog fighting ring made of plywood. Authorities recovered 16 pit bulls, including a badly injured dog in a cage that later succumbed to its wounds. Other animals were rescued from cages in other areas of the house
and in the backyard.
Investigators also recovered break sticks, which were used to disengage fighting dogs by unlocking their jaws, and syringes filled with testosterone to make
the animals more aggressive.
The discovery of this illegal enterprise involving animal cruelty was the result of information developed by the New Jersey State Police during an investigation into dog fighting in New Jersey.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Elizabeth Brandler and James Goward of the Rackets Bureau.
Friday, March 12, 2010
NEWS - Couple reimbursed for price of dead puppy - Ridgefield Press, March 12
Couple reimbursed for price of dead puppy
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
The purchasers of the puppy that was put down after being diagnosed with parvovirus confirmed Friday that the True Breeders store in Branchville had reimbursed them what they’d paid for the dog.
“Yes, we did get refunded the purchase price of the dog, Oprah — $1,603,” said Cheryl Muniz.
So far, the couple has not been reimbursed for $2,700 in veterinary expenses.
Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and is regarded as particularly threatening to young dogs that have not had all their “puppy shots.”
With symptoms that include diarrhea that is often bloody, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, the disease is often fatal to dogs without immunity.
Ms. Muniz and her husband, Victor, Wilton residents, bought a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy at the True Breeders store in Branchville on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The dog began showing symptoms, was taken to two different veterinarians, and was diagnosed with canine parvovirus. After failing to respond well to treatment, the puppy was put down Friday, March 5.
The incident led the state to impose a 14-day quarantine on the True Breeders store, which cannot take in or sell dogs during that time.
People may come and go from the store during the quarantine, and it is allowed to continue with retail sales of merchandise other than live dogs.
Ms. Muniz said she and her husband were trying to get True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo and the Hunte Corporation of Missouri, the broker that supplied the store with the puppy, to repay them for more than $2,700 in veterinary bills they accumulated trying to save the puppy.
“That’s all we got refunded,” Ms. Muniz said of the $1,603 purchase price. “We haven’t gotten any kind reimbursement for vet bills. She says she’s working on that with Hunte Corporation.”
As reported in more detail in this week’s Press, the the couple had bought to puppy as a present for Mr. Muniz’ mother.
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
The purchasers of the puppy that was put down after being diagnosed with parvovirus confirmed Friday that the True Breeders store in Branchville had reimbursed them what they’d paid for the dog.
“Yes, we did get refunded the purchase price of the dog, Oprah — $1,603,” said Cheryl Muniz.
So far, the couple has not been reimbursed for $2,700 in veterinary expenses.
Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and is regarded as particularly threatening to young dogs that have not had all their “puppy shots.”
With symptoms that include diarrhea that is often bloody, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, the disease is often fatal to dogs without immunity.
Ms. Muniz and her husband, Victor, Wilton residents, bought a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy at the True Breeders store in Branchville on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The dog began showing symptoms, was taken to two different veterinarians, and was diagnosed with canine parvovirus. After failing to respond well to treatment, the puppy was put down Friday, March 5.
The incident led the state to impose a 14-day quarantine on the True Breeders store, which cannot take in or sell dogs during that time.
People may come and go from the store during the quarantine, and it is allowed to continue with retail sales of merchandise other than live dogs.
Ms. Muniz said she and her husband were trying to get True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo and the Hunte Corporation of Missouri, the broker that supplied the store with the puppy, to repay them for more than $2,700 in veterinary bills they accumulated trying to save the puppy.
“That’s all we got refunded,” Ms. Muniz said of the $1,603 purchase price. “We haven’t gotten any kind reimbursement for vet bills. She says she’s working on that with Hunte Corporation.”
As reported in more detail in this week’s Press, the the couple had bought to puppy as a present for Mr. Muniz’ mother.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
NEWS - State orders quarantine at store after dog with parvovirus dies - Wilton Bulletin, March 11
State orders quarantine at store after dog with parvovirus dies
Written by Macklin Reid
A teacup Yorkshire Terrier was put down after unsuccessful treatment for the highly contagious canine parvovirus, a diagnosis which led state authorities to impose a 14-day quarantine on True Breeders, a new “puppy store” on Route 7 in Branchville where the dog had been purchased less than a week before.
“It was heartbreaking. It’s a nightmare. I don’t want anybody to go through this,” said Cheryl Muniz of Wilton, who bought the dog with her husband, Victor, as a present for his mother.
The 14-day quarantine is designed to limit the potential spread of parvovirus, which is regarded as particularly threatening to young dogs that have not had all their “puppy shots” — and is often fatal.
“On Friday, one of our officers received a complaint from a consumer that their dog was diagnosed with canine parvovirus,” Raymond Connors, animal control supervisor with the state Department of Agriculture, said Monday.
“It was confirmed from the veterinarian that that indeed was what the dog had. The officer responded to the store and notified the owner, Christine DiCarlo, that the dog died of parvovirus.”
Canine parvovirus is most frequently characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting. It is generally viewed as a threat to puppies, although their are a number of variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs. Parvovirus has been reported recently at dog shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, (For more on Parvovirus, see related story.)
Mr. Connors said the state would allow the True Breeders store to reopen at the end of the 14 days if no dogs there showed signs of the disease.
“The purpose of the quarantine is, if any of the other dogs are incubating the virus, the virus will manifest itself within that 14-day period,” he said.
Cheryl and Victor Muniz bought the dog Sunday, Feb. 28, for his mother, who has a Chihuahua and had long wanted a teacup Yorkie, they said.
“We were doing a good thing for her, and it backfired,” Ms. Muniz said. “That’s the heartbreaking thing about it: My mother-in-law fell in love with her in the two days she was with her.”
They said the puppy, who was named Oprah, began showing symptoms Monday night and was clearly very sick by midweek.
“Wednesday afternoon the dog seemed to be getting worse so my wife took it to the 24-hour place in Norwalk,” Mr. Muniz said. “And they did a bunch of tests and determined the dog had the parvovirus, so we had to leave the puppy there.
“...They did an I-V, they did blood work, they did as much as they could for the puppy, up until Friday,” Mr. Muniz said.
“Friday morning we came to the conclusion it wasn’t getting any better, it was just in really bad shape, and the best thing to do was put it down.”
The puppy’s death was hard Mr. Muniz’ mother, and also on the family’s nine-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.
“My mother was destroyed,” said Mr. Muniz. “My kids, we only had the puppy a couple of days, but the love was there. This was my mother’s dream dog. I gave my mother the puppy, for it to die a few days later? It’s ridiculous.”
When they told their story Tuesday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Muniz were still seeking promised restitution from True Breeders LLC for the $1,603 they’d paid for the puppy. The couple also believes the store should reimburse them for the $2,757 in veterinary bills they piled up treating the dog.
Puppy mills
Christine DiCarlo, who opened True Breeders in January, declined to discuss the incident with The Bulletin’s sister publication The Ridgefield Press, but promised a written statement — which had not been received by publication time.
In a interview broadcast Monday night by News 12 Connecticut, the Cablevision news show, Ms. DiCarlo affirmed her intention to pay her customers back.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so so sorry,” she said, according to a transcript of the interview provided by News 12 Connecticut. “I will do everything to make it right.”
In the interview, Ms. DiCarlo insisted the puppy had not picked up parvovirus at True Breeders, but had been brought in with it.
“This puppy came in with parvo. It had nothing to do with my store,” she said.
Where the puppy came from — Missouri, according to Mr. Connors of the state Department of Agriculture — adds fuel to the controversy that has surrounded True Breeders since the store opened in January.
A coalition of local dog breeders and activist dog lovers has opposed the store — lobbying local officials to take action, writing letters to The Press, sometimes protesting in the store’s Route 7 parking lot.
Their chief objection has been a conviction the store would be an outlet for “puppy mills” — unscrupulous dog breeders, particularly from the Midwest and Pennsylvania, said to care more about profit than their animals’ health.
Ms. DiCarlo has insisted this is not the case: “I do not deal with puppy mills. I love dogs,” she said in the News 12 Connecticut cable TV interview.
The Missouri origins of the puppy that died are pointed to by Ms. DiCarlo’s opponents as evidence that she has not been truthful about buying puppy mill dogs.
Mary-Jo Duffy of Wilton is the president of the board of directors of ROAR, which runs the non-profit dog shelter in Ridgefield, said opponents had seen a big tractor trailer truck unloading puppies at True Breeders two Tuesdays in a row.
“It’s from Hunte Corporation, based in Missouri, and they are probably the country’s biggest broker of puppy mill puppies,” she said. “She’s absolutely deceiving the public,” Ms. Duffy said of Ms. DiCarlo. “She has a sign in her window that says ‘We do not buy from puppy mils.’ Maybe that’s true. But she buys from a broker who buys from puppy mills.”
Mr. Connors The Press he’d been to the store Monday, and thought the operators were reacting responsibly to the parvovirus threat.
“I was there yesterday, and there was no fecal material on the floors or in any of the holding areas where the dogs are being housed,” he said. “Ms. DiCarlo, the licensee, is using the proper disinfectant for controlling parvovirus, so there’s no need for concern about tracking anything out of the store.”
Written by Macklin Reid
A teacup Yorkshire Terrier was put down after unsuccessful treatment for the highly contagious canine parvovirus, a diagnosis which led state authorities to impose a 14-day quarantine on True Breeders, a new “puppy store” on Route 7 in Branchville where the dog had been purchased less than a week before.
“It was heartbreaking. It’s a nightmare. I don’t want anybody to go through this,” said Cheryl Muniz of Wilton, who bought the dog with her husband, Victor, as a present for his mother.
The 14-day quarantine is designed to limit the potential spread of parvovirus, which is regarded as particularly threatening to young dogs that have not had all their “puppy shots” — and is often fatal.
“On Friday, one of our officers received a complaint from a consumer that their dog was diagnosed with canine parvovirus,” Raymond Connors, animal control supervisor with the state Department of Agriculture, said Monday.
“It was confirmed from the veterinarian that that indeed was what the dog had. The officer responded to the store and notified the owner, Christine DiCarlo, that the dog died of parvovirus.”
Canine parvovirus is most frequently characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting. It is generally viewed as a threat to puppies, although their are a number of variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs. Parvovirus has been reported recently at dog shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, (For more on Parvovirus, see related story.)
Mr. Connors said the state would allow the True Breeders store to reopen at the end of the 14 days if no dogs there showed signs of the disease.
“The purpose of the quarantine is, if any of the other dogs are incubating the virus, the virus will manifest itself within that 14-day period,” he said.
Cheryl and Victor Muniz bought the dog Sunday, Feb. 28, for his mother, who has a Chihuahua and had long wanted a teacup Yorkie, they said.
“We were doing a good thing for her, and it backfired,” Ms. Muniz said. “That’s the heartbreaking thing about it: My mother-in-law fell in love with her in the two days she was with her.”
They said the puppy, who was named Oprah, began showing symptoms Monday night and was clearly very sick by midweek.
“Wednesday afternoon the dog seemed to be getting worse so my wife took it to the 24-hour place in Norwalk,” Mr. Muniz said. “And they did a bunch of tests and determined the dog had the parvovirus, so we had to leave the puppy there.
“...They did an I-V, they did blood work, they did as much as they could for the puppy, up until Friday,” Mr. Muniz said.
“Friday morning we came to the conclusion it wasn’t getting any better, it was just in really bad shape, and the best thing to do was put it down.”
The puppy’s death was hard Mr. Muniz’ mother, and also on the family’s nine-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.
“My mother was destroyed,” said Mr. Muniz. “My kids, we only had the puppy a couple of days, but the love was there. This was my mother’s dream dog. I gave my mother the puppy, for it to die a few days later? It’s ridiculous.”
When they told their story Tuesday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Muniz were still seeking promised restitution from True Breeders LLC for the $1,603 they’d paid for the puppy. The couple also believes the store should reimburse them for the $2,757 in veterinary bills they piled up treating the dog.
Puppy mills
Christine DiCarlo, who opened True Breeders in January, declined to discuss the incident with The Bulletin’s sister publication The Ridgefield Press, but promised a written statement — which had not been received by publication time.
In a interview broadcast Monday night by News 12 Connecticut, the Cablevision news show, Ms. DiCarlo affirmed her intention to pay her customers back.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so so sorry,” she said, according to a transcript of the interview provided by News 12 Connecticut. “I will do everything to make it right.”
In the interview, Ms. DiCarlo insisted the puppy had not picked up parvovirus at True Breeders, but had been brought in with it.
“This puppy came in with parvo. It had nothing to do with my store,” she said.
Where the puppy came from — Missouri, according to Mr. Connors of the state Department of Agriculture — adds fuel to the controversy that has surrounded True Breeders since the store opened in January.
A coalition of local dog breeders and activist dog lovers has opposed the store — lobbying local officials to take action, writing letters to The Press, sometimes protesting in the store’s Route 7 parking lot.
Their chief objection has been a conviction the store would be an outlet for “puppy mills” — unscrupulous dog breeders, particularly from the Midwest and Pennsylvania, said to care more about profit than their animals’ health.
Ms. DiCarlo has insisted this is not the case: “I do not deal with puppy mills. I love dogs,” she said in the News 12 Connecticut cable TV interview.
The Missouri origins of the puppy that died are pointed to by Ms. DiCarlo’s opponents as evidence that she has not been truthful about buying puppy mill dogs.
Mary-Jo Duffy of Wilton is the president of the board of directors of ROAR, which runs the non-profit dog shelter in Ridgefield, said opponents had seen a big tractor trailer truck unloading puppies at True Breeders two Tuesdays in a row.
“It’s from Hunte Corporation, based in Missouri, and they are probably the country’s biggest broker of puppy mill puppies,” she said. “She’s absolutely deceiving the public,” Ms. Duffy said of Ms. DiCarlo. “She has a sign in her window that says ‘We do not buy from puppy mils.’ Maybe that’s true. But she buys from a broker who buys from puppy mills.”
Mr. Connors The Press he’d been to the store Monday, and thought the operators were reacting responsibly to the parvovirus threat.
“I was there yesterday, and there was no fecal material on the floors or in any of the holding areas where the dogs are being housed,” he said. “Ms. DiCarlo, the licensee, is using the proper disinfectant for controlling parvovirus, so there’s no need for concern about tracking anything out of the store.”
NEWS - Parvo: What is it and what can be done to avoid it? - Ridgefield Press, March 11
Parvo: What is it and what can be done to avoid it?
Written by Jack Sanders
Canine parvovirus is considered life-threatening and highly contagious to puppies and younger dogs, although older dogs that have been through their full series of “puppy shots” are generally protected from it.
The death of a dog from this disease is what prompted the state to quarantine the puppy sales for 14 days at True Breeders in Branchville, where the diseased puppy came from.
“Parvo,” as the disease is often called, is most often characterized by diarrhea that is in many cases bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting.
“There is a high fatality rate,” said Dr. Bruce Sherman, a veterinarian who is director of the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection with the state Department of Agriculture.
The agriculture department is the state agency that imposed a 14-day quarantine on True Breeders.
“It depends on the situation, it depends on the individual animals, but it does have a high fatality rate in puppies that have no immunity to it. ” Dr. Sherman said.
Some puppies will have some temporary immunity passed on from their mothers.
“If the puppy has some immunity that has been passed along from the mother, chances are even if it’s exposed to the virus it won’t become infected,” Dr. Sherman said. “And if it does, it may not be as severe.”
The maternal protection fades with time, and may be replaced with immunization by shots — but the timing is tricky
While vaccinations are considered pretty reliable for dogs that have had their whole course of puppy shots, Dr. Sherman said, dogs that haven’t had all their shots may not be protected.
“Sometimes the immunity the puppy has from the mother will interfere with the vaccination,” he said. “That’s why they give a series of vaccinations. Nobody really knows when that immunity from the puppy will be gone.”
Although parvovirus is generally viewed as less of a threat to older dogs, particularly those that have had their shots, there are different variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs.
The Web site peteducation.com reports, “Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo...”
There are parvoviruses that affect cats, but they are different strains than the ones affecting dogs. Cross-species contamination is not considered a worry.
Cleaning up kennels and areas where parvo has struck can be a tough job, Dr. Sherman said.
“It’s a nasty disease,” he said. “The virus is excreted in fecal material. It can be pretty difficult to disinfect areas.”
Areas where infected dogs have been kept must be “thoroughly cleaned and disinfected,” Dr. Sherman said.
“Cleaning is as important as the disinfection, because disinfectants don’t work well on organic material — it has to be a clean surface for the disinfectant to work.”
DVM360.com, a Web newsmagazine aimed at veterinarians, reported on Feb. 25 that parvovirus had turned up this winter in dogs at shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, raising concern among area veterinarians that there might be something of an outbreak in the area.
It quoted a Southport veterinarian as saying treatment for a dog with the disease may cost around $4,000, and calling for vigilance in hospital and shelter protocols, in vaccination, and in public education.
“There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus,” Peteducation.com says. “ Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few, if any, symptoms. The majority of cases of disease are seen in dogs less than six months of age with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age.
“There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, and Labrador retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.”
Peteducation.com also says, “Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having ‘parvo.’ The only way to know if a dog has parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test.”
Written by Jack Sanders
Canine parvovirus is considered life-threatening and highly contagious to puppies and younger dogs, although older dogs that have been through their full series of “puppy shots” are generally protected from it.
The death of a dog from this disease is what prompted the state to quarantine the puppy sales for 14 days at True Breeders in Branchville, where the diseased puppy came from.
“Parvo,” as the disease is often called, is most often characterized by diarrhea that is in many cases bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting.
“There is a high fatality rate,” said Dr. Bruce Sherman, a veterinarian who is director of the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection with the state Department of Agriculture.
The agriculture department is the state agency that imposed a 14-day quarantine on True Breeders.
“It depends on the situation, it depends on the individual animals, but it does have a high fatality rate in puppies that have no immunity to it. ” Dr. Sherman said.
Some puppies will have some temporary immunity passed on from their mothers.
“If the puppy has some immunity that has been passed along from the mother, chances are even if it’s exposed to the virus it won’t become infected,” Dr. Sherman said. “And if it does, it may not be as severe.”
The maternal protection fades with time, and may be replaced with immunization by shots — but the timing is tricky
While vaccinations are considered pretty reliable for dogs that have had their whole course of puppy shots, Dr. Sherman said, dogs that haven’t had all their shots may not be protected.
“Sometimes the immunity the puppy has from the mother will interfere with the vaccination,” he said. “That’s why they give a series of vaccinations. Nobody really knows when that immunity from the puppy will be gone.”
Although parvovirus is generally viewed as less of a threat to older dogs, particularly those that have had their shots, there are different variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs.
The Web site peteducation.com reports, “Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo...”
There are parvoviruses that affect cats, but they are different strains than the ones affecting dogs. Cross-species contamination is not considered a worry.
Cleaning up kennels and areas where parvo has struck can be a tough job, Dr. Sherman said.
“It’s a nasty disease,” he said. “The virus is excreted in fecal material. It can be pretty difficult to disinfect areas.”
Areas where infected dogs have been kept must be “thoroughly cleaned and disinfected,” Dr. Sherman said.
“Cleaning is as important as the disinfection, because disinfectants don’t work well on organic material — it has to be a clean surface for the disinfectant to work.”
DVM360.com, a Web newsmagazine aimed at veterinarians, reported on Feb. 25 that parvovirus had turned up this winter in dogs at shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, raising concern among area veterinarians that there might be something of an outbreak in the area.
It quoted a Southport veterinarian as saying treatment for a dog with the disease may cost around $4,000, and calling for vigilance in hospital and shelter protocols, in vaccination, and in public education.
“There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus,” Peteducation.com says. “ Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few, if any, symptoms. The majority of cases of disease are seen in dogs less than six months of age with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age.
“There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, and Labrador retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.”
Peteducation.com also says, “Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having ‘parvo.’ The only way to know if a dog has parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test.”
NEWS - True Breeders owner says she is still open for non-puppy sales, training - Ridgefield Press, March 11
True Breeders owner says she is still open for non-puppy sales, training
Written by The Ridgefield Press
Christine DiCarlo, owner of True Breeders, issued a statement Wednesday, expressing sympathy to the family of the dog that died, and reporting that her store is still in business for non-puppy sales and for training. Her statement follows:
"I feel the need to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family who bought the teacup Yorkie from my store, True Breeders. It was a very unfortunate incident.
"I just want to clear up any rumors or half truth that is going around.
"As many of the Connecticut papers have published in recent months, there is an outbreak of parvovirus going around the state. This virus mostly affects puppies who are not yet fully vaccinated.
"This puppy came to our store vibrant, healthy and happy. Three days after the puppy went home, it started showing signs of being ill. I informed the family to bring it to our vet, Dr. Dann, immediately and I would cover all the medical expenses.
"The family chose to take it to their vet who in turn gave it fluids and sent it home. It was never tested for the parvovirus. If it had been detected and diagnosed in a timely manner, the puppy may have been able to be saved.
"As a standard precaution, the Department of Agriculture quarantined our dogs for 14 days from when the puppy left our store. All of our other puppies are healthy and showing no signs of parvo, but cannot be sold until Monday, the 15th, when the Department of Agriculture returns.
"We are still open for retail and dog obedience training, which is held in a separate part of our store.
"I just want to let our previous and any potential customers know that we are taking every precaution to ensure this doesn’t happen again and that the health and safety of our puppies is our #1 priority."
Written by The Ridgefield Press
Christine DiCarlo, owner of True Breeders, issued a statement Wednesday, expressing sympathy to the family of the dog that died, and reporting that her store is still in business for non-puppy sales and for training. Her statement follows:
"I feel the need to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family who bought the teacup Yorkie from my store, True Breeders. It was a very unfortunate incident.
"I just want to clear up any rumors or half truth that is going around.
"As many of the Connecticut papers have published in recent months, there is an outbreak of parvovirus going around the state. This virus mostly affects puppies who are not yet fully vaccinated.
"This puppy came to our store vibrant, healthy and happy. Three days after the puppy went home, it started showing signs of being ill. I informed the family to bring it to our vet, Dr. Dann, immediately and I would cover all the medical expenses.
"The family chose to take it to their vet who in turn gave it fluids and sent it home. It was never tested for the parvovirus. If it had been detected and diagnosed in a timely manner, the puppy may have been able to be saved.
"As a standard precaution, the Department of Agriculture quarantined our dogs for 14 days from when the puppy left our store. All of our other puppies are healthy and showing no signs of parvo, but cannot be sold until Monday, the 15th, when the Department of Agriculture returns.
"We are still open for retail and dog obedience training, which is held in a separate part of our store.
"I just want to let our previous and any potential customers know that we are taking every precaution to ensure this doesn’t happen again and that the health and safety of our puppies is our #1 priority."
Monday, March 8, 2010
NEWS - State Closes Ridgefield "Puppy Store" After Finding Deadly Virus - Ridgefield Press, March 8
State closes Ridgefield "puppy store" after finding deadly virus
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
The state has shut down True Breeders, the controversial puppy store on Route 7 in Branchville, imposing a 14-day quarantine on Friday, March 5, after a local veterinarian diagnosed a puppy purchased there with the canine parvo virus, which is often fatal to puppies.
“On Friday, one of our officers received a complaint from a consumer that their dog was diagnosed with canine parvovirus,” said Raymond Connors, animal control supervisor with the state Department of Agriculture.
“It was confirmed from the veterinarian that that indeed was what the dog had. The officer responded to the store and notified the owner, Christine DiCarlo, that the dog died of parvovirus.”
According to reports, a puppy purchased for $1,600 at the store died of the disease. Some sources say the puppy was among dogs received from a breeder in Missouri, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Canine parvovirus most frequently characterized by diarrhea that is in many cases bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting. It is highly contagious and often fatal for puppies.
It is generally viewed as less of a threat to older dogs, particularly those that have had their shots, although their are a number of variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs.
DVM360.com, a web newsmagazine aimed at veterinarians, reported on Feb. 25 that parvovirus had turned up in dogs at shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, raising concern among area veterinarians that there might be an outbreak in the area.
It quoted a Southport veterinarian as saying treatment for a dog with the disease costs around $4,000, and calling for vigilance in hospital and shelter protocols, in vaccination, and in public education.
The website peteducation.com reports “Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo...
“Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having ‘parvo.’ The only way to know if a dog has parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test.”
Peteducation.com also says: “There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus. Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few, if any, symptoms. The majority of cases of disease are seen in dogs less than six months of age with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age.
“There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.”
Mr. Connors of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture said that state would allow the True Breeders store in Branchville to reopen at the end of the 14 days — that would be March 19 or 20 — if no dogs there showed symptoms of the disease.
“The purpose of the quarantine is, if any of the other dogs are incubating the virus, the virus will manifest itself within that 14 day period,” he said.
“The store would be able to re-open if it’s cleared, if none of the other dogs are exhibiting any symptoms.”
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
The state has shut down True Breeders, the controversial puppy store on Route 7 in Branchville, imposing a 14-day quarantine on Friday, March 5, after a local veterinarian diagnosed a puppy purchased there with the canine parvo virus, which is often fatal to puppies.
“On Friday, one of our officers received a complaint from a consumer that their dog was diagnosed with canine parvovirus,” said Raymond Connors, animal control supervisor with the state Department of Agriculture.
“It was confirmed from the veterinarian that that indeed was what the dog had. The officer responded to the store and notified the owner, Christine DiCarlo, that the dog died of parvovirus.”
According to reports, a puppy purchased for $1,600 at the store died of the disease. Some sources say the puppy was among dogs received from a breeder in Missouri, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Canine parvovirus most frequently characterized by diarrhea that is in many cases bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting. It is highly contagious and often fatal for puppies.
It is generally viewed as less of a threat to older dogs, particularly those that have had their shots, although their are a number of variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs.
DVM360.com, a web newsmagazine aimed at veterinarians, reported on Feb. 25 that parvovirus had turned up in dogs at shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, raising concern among area veterinarians that there might be an outbreak in the area.
It quoted a Southport veterinarian as saying treatment for a dog with the disease costs around $4,000, and calling for vigilance in hospital and shelter protocols, in vaccination, and in public education.
The website peteducation.com reports “Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo...
“Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having ‘parvo.’ The only way to know if a dog has parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test.”
Peteducation.com also says: “There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus. Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few, if any, symptoms. The majority of cases of disease are seen in dogs less than six months of age with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age.
“There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.”
Mr. Connors of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture said that state would allow the True Breeders store in Branchville to reopen at the end of the 14 days — that would be March 19 or 20 — if no dogs there showed symptoms of the disease.
“The purpose of the quarantine is, if any of the other dogs are incubating the virus, the virus will manifest itself within that 14 day period,” he said.
“The store would be able to re-open if it’s cleared, if none of the other dogs are exhibiting any symptoms.”
Sunday, March 7, 2010
PARVO VIRUS ALERT!
Ridgefield, CT pet store True Breeders was closed down by the Connecticut State Department of Agriculture after a puppy died from parvovirus.
Before you go anywhere NEAR the store, check out this information on CANINE PARVO VIRUS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_parvovirus
If you touch any store puppies WASH YOUR HANDS, SHOES AND CLOTHES BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR OWN DOG! This is a highly contagious disease that can be FATAL.
Before you go anywhere NEAR the store, check out this information on CANINE PARVO VIRUS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_parvovirus
If you touch any store puppies WASH YOUR HANDS, SHOES AND CLOTHES BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR OWN DOG! This is a highly contagious disease that can be FATAL.
What do YOU think??
True Breeders was shut down for a 2 week quarantine by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture due to a canine parvovirus infection.
What are YOUR thoughts??
What are YOUR thoughts??
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