Port Jefferson, NY (March 22, 2010) — Dori Scofield, President/Founder, Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue and Adoption Center, claimed victory at a court proceeding when The Perfect Puppy, a retail pet store in Stony Brook, sought an injunction that would have prevented Save-A-Pet staff members and volunteers from protesting in front of the store but later agreed the protests to continue after The Perfect Puppy’s restraining order was denied.
“We are pleased to hear that the restraining order filed against us has been denied. Because of this decision, we will continue to exercise our First Amendment right to free speech and the right to assembly,” Ms. Scofield said.
However, Save-A-Pet is facing an $8 million lawsuit from The Perfect Puppy, seeking punitive and compensatory damages. Ms. Scofield has retained an attorney as a result of the legal action taken by The Perfect Puppy. “We have to use money that we raised to pay for legal costs, which means that less money is available to take in more animals,” she said. “We are hoping we can get the help we need from CAPS (Companion Animal Protection Society) for any subsequent legal aid.”
Both parties are scheduled to be back in court on April 9.
Ms. Scofield says that The Perfect Puppy purchases its puppies, not from reputable breeders as the store claims, but from “puppy mills.” She produced reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture which traces the purchases made by The Perfect Puppy back to puppy mills, which have also sold animals to other retail pet stores on Long Island. “Pet stores like The Perfect Puppy use puppy mills, whereas reputable breeders do not sell to pet stores. Breeders keep their dogs on their property and have several interviews with prospective families before selling their puppies,” says Ms. Scofield.
Production of puppy mill puppies causes an unnecessary increase in the pet population, which means some animals have to be euthanized to keep it under control. According to Ms. Scofield, approximately 6 million animals are euthanized in New York State each year. Many of these dogs are from pet stores.
“These animals that live and breed in these puppy mills are raised in the most deplorable conditions,”
Many of the people who buy these animals from pet stores are unaware that they come from puppy mills and that these animals can develop health problems later on in life. Considering the pet overpopulation in New York, adoption is a better alternative,”
Ms. Scofield is asking for donations to help offset the legal costs. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, contact Save-A-Pet at (631) 473-6333, or visit www.saveapetli.org.
CAPTION:
Pictured (left to right): Save-A-Pet Volunteer Kathy Deon, President/Founder Dori Scofield, Executive Director Lynne Schoepfer and Volunteer Mary Ann MacDonnell, with three rescue puppies, Paris, Pansey and Paige.
*Photos are available via e-mail and upon request.
