(WWJ) - A man accused of running an inhumane and unsanitary puppy peddling operation in Hillsdale County is now being sued by the state.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit late last week against Paul Steury for violating the state's Consumer Protection Act. He's accused of selling sick puppies and adult dogs to consumers, and providing false documentation of the breed, age, health and vaccination records.
Nessel said she learned of the operation through complaints referred to her department by Monroe County Animal Control and the Humane Society of the United States. More than 100 dogs were allegedly being kept at Steury's property on West Burt Road in Camden Township.
The following investigation revealed what Nessel called "a sickening discovery." While being questioned during investigative testimony, Steury admitted to killing at least six young dogs simply because he could not sell them.
"This man's actions are simply incomprehensible," Nessel said in a statement. "In many Michigan households, pets are treated as another member of the family. Puppy mill operators cannot continue to boldly take advantage of Michigan consumers and their love for animals with no regard for the health or welfare of the dogs they're selling."
Nessel's office was granted investigative subpoenas and both Steury and an associate were questioned. While the associate played a minor role in the puppy mill operation, the Attorney General alleges that Steury engaged in several unfair and deceptive trade practices made unlawful by the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, including:
- Representing that goods or services are of a particular standard, quality, or grade that they do not have;
- Failing to reveal a material fact, the omission of which tends to mislead or deceive the consumer, and which fact could not reasonably be known by the consumer;
- Representing a fact or statement of fact material to the transaction such that a person reasonably believes the represented or suggested state of affairs to be other than it actually is;
- Failing to reveal facts that are material to the transaction in light of representations of fact made in a positive manner.
To see a copy of the lawsuit, click here (.pdf format)
The Michigan Humane Society recently recovered more than 33 dogs from Steury. The dogs have undergone medical and behavioral evaluations to determine the placement that is best for each animal, and a majority of the dogs have already been placed in loving homes.
Each year, consumers in the U.S. spend more than $1 billion buying puppies without realizing they may be doing business with scammers, puppy mill operators or both. Puppy mills are inhumane, dog breeding operations that keep dogs in overcrowded and unhealthy conditions and are not regulated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Breeders hide their poor conditions by meeting buyers at offsite locations or selling through pet stores or online.
Concerned residents who suspect a puppy mill operation are encouraged to call the Michigan Humane Society at 313-872-3401 or file a complaint with the Attorney General at mi.gov/agcomplaints.
