PHILLIPSTON — Animal Control Officer Glenn Whitney reported to the Selectboard recently that a young woman in town is “flipping puppies.”
“She’s buying them in New Hampshire and selling them in town,” said Whitney. He said Monday that it is unknown just how many dogs are in the household, as they were unable to do an inside inspection. He said it is estimated there are, or were, at least six puppies (white shepherds and a couple mixed black labs) in addition to the owner’s three family dogs in the home.
The case was handed over to state Animal Health Inspector Stephanie Funk. Whitney said the dogs were ordered quarantined in Boston.
“I have not been notified that the order has been lifted,” he said.
Late Monday, Katie Gronendyke, Press Secretary for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs confirmed the Department of Agricultural Resources is currently investigating a situation involving a Phillipston woman importing puppies from out of state and selling them without a pet shop license, and has issued the woman an Order to Cease and Desist for operating a pet shop without a license. The investigation is ongoing, and no further information was provided.
Whitney said dogs coming into Massachusetts must go through a quarantine period at an approved facility before going to a foster home, although in this case, the puppies will not be fostered out. He said the woman, who was ordered to close and desist by the state, had three options: return the puppies; surrender them to the state; or keep them.
“She couldn’t return them, and said she would not surrender them, that she would keep them,” said Whitney. “But you know as soon as they leave, she’ll flip them. She had to sign a contract to keep the dogs for life.
“We need to put a lock on the number of dogs one person can have in town,” he said.
Massachusetts law allows up to four dogs at one residence, with the exception of a licensed purebred breeder. There is one such breeder in town who has 12 licensed purebred German shepherds, one resident who has five dogs, and remaining dog owners have four or fewer dogs.
Whitney said he brought the matter to the Selectboard’s attention with the intention of getting the ball rolling on setting a cap on the number of dogs allowed in one household.
“Once we start the process, I want a letter sent to notify her that she won’t be allowed to have more than four dogs in the household,” he said.
Town Administrative Assistant Kevin Flynn said Selectboard members should consult with town counsel and the Zoning Board of Appeals if the intent is to create a local bylaw.
Whitney said, “We don’t want to infringe on the breeder in any way.”
The American Kennel Club advises prospective animal owners not to buy dogs directly off the internet, at flea markets or from roadside vans, as there is no way to verify where the animal came from.
AKC also warns that adult dogs offered for sale at reduced prices, for a “relocation” fee, or accompanied by requests for last-minute shipping fees, are red flags.
They recommend people seek out reputable breeders or rescue groups, visit the home of the breeder, meet the puppy’s mother and see the litter.
Contacting breed rescue groups can also be a safe alternative for those looking for an adult dog. Also, it is recommended that you demand proper papers on a purebred puppy by asking for the AKC litter registration number and contact AKC customer service at 919-233-9767 to verify registration authenticity of a purebred puppy.