New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that she has sued Quality Canines Inc., a pet store in Brooklyn operating as Puppy Boutique, for illegally advertising and selling hundreds of puppies, in violation of the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act. The law, which went into effect in December 2024, permanently bans the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits by New York pet stores. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that for more than a year and a half, Puppy Boutique has continued to source and sell puppies from puppy mills, in direct violation of the law that seeks to protect consumers from unknowingly purchasing sick pets and to curb animal abuse at puppy mills. Attorney General James is seeking to immediately stop Puppy Boutique from illegally selling dogs.
“Pets are valued members of our families, and anyone who brings a new pet into their home deserves a healthy animal,” said Attorney General James. “Puppy Boutique illegally sold puppies to New Yorkers, exposing them to heartbreak and exorbitant veterinary bills for animals raised in inhumane conditions. My office will continue to enforce the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act to ensure that animals across the state are protected, healthy, and free from mistreatment, and that abusive breeders are stopped.”
Puppy Boutique uses social media accounts, including Instagram and TikTok, and several websites including thepuppyboutique.com, puppypetite.com, and others to advertise puppies for sale. Instagram accounts associated with Puppy Boutique posted photos of puppies and included captions providing information on the sale of the puppies and contact information for the store, in violation of the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act…