NEW YORK – State Attorney General Tish James, Monday, reached an agreement with Bell Pet Company, which does business as The Pet Zone, and its owners for misleading consumers about the health of the pets they sold to New Yorkers.
The Pet Zone, which operates stores in Poughkeepsie, Albany, Watertown, and Queensbury, misled customers about the health of the pets they purchased by providing incomplete medical records.
New York State Director of the Humane Society of the United States, Brian Shapiro of Woodstock, lauded the agreement.
“Until the law that Governor Hochul just signed goes into effect, which would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in retail pet stores because of the continued dishonesty we’ve seen from retail pet shops,” he said. “It’s good to know that leaders such as Attorney General Tish James are going to keep an eye on things, keeping them honest and making sure that consumers and companion animals get the protect that they need.”
“Poughkeepsie families, and all New Yorkers, deserve to know that when they purchase a pet and bring a new companion animal into their lives, that new member of the family is healthy,” said Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Jay Baisley. “Unexpected vet bills cause real harm to family finances, but they pale in comparison to the emotional toll having a sick pet takes on children and families.”
The law banning sales of dogs, cats and rabbits in retail stores does not take effect until 2024.
