EASTERN EUROPEAN PUPPY MILLS
Traci Murai and Bullie Pups R Us
* New complaint was posted on Complaints Board.com on May 15, 2010 but soon removed. Email us for a copy.
October 31, 2008
PA Attorney General Shuts Down Dog Seller - clickherefor the consent order
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced a court order that prohibits a Berks County dog seller from ever selling dogs again in Pennsylvania.
Corbett identified the dog seller as Traci Murai, the operator of Bullie Pups R Us at 313 W. Morlatton Road, Douglassville, Berks County. Murai specialized in the selling of imported English bull dogs and also operated a kennel.
“Today’s action puts Bullie Pups R Us out of business in Pennsylvania,” said Corbett.
The court order, known as a consent petition for a final decree, was filed today in Berks County Court and stems from a 2006 a lawsuit Corbett filed against Murai claiming that she sold consumers puppies that were sick, had infectious diseases, congenital or genetic defects or were falsely represented as healthy dogs.
Corbett said consumers complained to the Attorney General’s Office that the puppies required veterinary care after the dogs were diagnosed with a variety of illnesses.
The lawsuit also claimed that Murai required customers to sign a contract that was located on her business website that included a provision requiring consumers to forfeit their legal rights afforded them under Pennsylvania’s Puppy Lemon Law.
In addition to the prohibition of breeding and selling dogs in Pennsylvania, Murai is also prohibited from selling, transferring or delivering puppies to consumers living in Pennsylvania.
Furthermore, Corbett said if Murai moves business outside of Pennsylvania, she is required to put a disclaimer on her website stating that she is prohibited from selling dogs to Pennsylvania consumers.
The court order also requires Murai to pay $25,000, which includes $14,964 in consumer restitution, $5,000 in penalties and $5,000 for future public protection and education purposes.
Corbett said this consent petition is important to the consumers in Pennsylvania because it prohibits Murai from ever selling dogs to Pennsylvania consumers again.
Corbett said the consent petition was filed today in Berks County Court of Common Pleas by Deputy Attorney General Julia Fisher.
Previous AG Press Release
Attorney General Corbett sues Berks County dog seller
April 26, 2006
HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced the filing of a lawsuit against a Berks County kennel owner accused of selling sick or diseased dogs and deceiving consumers about their legal rights under the "Puppy Lemon Law." The suit also seeks to shutdown the kennel until all restitution, fines and investigation costs are paid.
Corbett identified the defendant as Traci Murai, doing business as Bullie Pups R Us, 313 W. Morlatton Road, Douglassville, Berks County.
Agents with the Bureau of Consumer Protection said that Murai, who sells imported English Bull Dogs, operated a kennel which sold more than 250 dogs since 2004 to consumers nationally.
According to the suit, Murai required customers to sign a contract that was located on the business' website. The purchaser contracts included a provision requiring consumers to forfeit their legal rights afforded to them under Pennsylvania's "Puppy Lemon Law."
"We allege that consumers were falsely led to believe that it was legally acceptable to waive their rights as new pet owners," Corbett said. "In reality, sellers cannot reduce, alter or choose not to comply with any of the protections provided under state law."
According to investigators, the defendant sold consumers puppies that were sick, had infectious diseases, congenital or genetic defects or were falsely represented as healthy dogs. Consumers complained that their puppies required veterinary care, after the dogs were diagnosed with a variety of illnesses.
The suit claims that the defendant ignored those consumers' attempts to contact her about the health of their newly purchased puppies. In addition, the defendant failed to honor consumers' requests for payment of veterinary bills or other medical treatment, up to the price of the puppy, as required under Pennsylvania's "Puppy Lemon Law."
In one case, a New Hampshire woman agreed to purchase a puppy from the defendant, not knowing that the dog was seriously ill. The sales contract included the alleged illegal waiver clause. Upon bringing the dog home, she noticed that the puppy had nasal discharge, a significant cough and was wheezing.
The puppy was ultimately diagnosed with a genetic condition that involved a defective trachea and swollen lymph nodes. Ten days later, the puppy died of pneumonia. The consumer complained that the defendant treated her rudely when she attempted to exercise her rights under Pennsylvania's "Puppy Lemon Law." The defendant is accused of failing to provide the full relief allowed under state law.
The lawsuit asks the court to require the defendant to:
pay restitution to affected consumers.
forfeit her right to own or operate any business involving the sale of dogs in Pennsylvania until restitution, fines and costs are paid.
forfeit all profits that resulted from alleged illegal business practices.
pay civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and $3,000 for each violation involving a consumer age 60 or older.
pay the Commonwealth's investigation costs.
Corbett said, "I can't stress enough how important it is to learn and know your rights as a consumer when buying a puppy. The excitement of owning a new pet can sometimes distract even the savviest consumers, which is why I recommend thoroughly researching the seller and state law before adding a dog to your family."
Consumers who wish to file complaints in this case are asked to contact the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 1-800-441-2555 to obtain a complaint form or by visitingwww.attorneygeneral.govto file electronically.
The lawsuit was filed in Berks County Court of Common Pleas. The case is being litigated by Deputy Attorney General Julia N. Fisher of the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection in Allentown.
Kennel in Berks accused by state. Authorities say the operator broke the "lemon law" by selling sick puppies and cheating customers.
April 27, 2006 * By Amy Worden * Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG - The state Attorney General yesterday filed suit against a Berks County woman for allegedly selling sick dogs and deceiving customers under Pennsylvania's "puppy lemon law."
The suit alleges that Traci Murai, a licensed kennel operator in Douglassville, sold imported English bulldog puppies to consumers around the country and required them to sign a contract waiving their rights under the state's lemon law.
"This is a particularly egregious case," said Barbara Petito, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Tom Corbett. "She was allegedly selling sick and diseased animals and was deliberately deceiving consumers about what their rights are if they purchase dogs."
Since 2004, Murai sold 250 puppies for as much as $2,400 each, according to the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Among them were at least seven puppies that suffered from various diseases or defects - fatal in three instances. The illnesses cost owners more than $11,000 in veterinarians' bills, Petito said.
Murai's attorney, Steven Nierenberg, said his client was aware of only three complaints about sick puppies, and one customer got her money back.
Murai "did not know they were sick and diseased at the time they were sold," said Nierenberg. "She wanted to comply and sell happy, healthy puppies; that was her intent."
Murai's Web site -www.bulliepupsrus.com- boasts of her "passion for animals" and her concern about "the health and welfare" of her puppies, imported from South Africa and Russia and sold via the Internet throughout the United States.
The suit came as Gov. Rendell issued a pledge to crack down on Pennsylvania's growing number of "puppy mills," large dog-breeding farms where animals are housed in crowded, filthy conditions.
In the last six months, Rendell convened a panel of experts to make recommendations and review proposed changed to the state's dog law.
The 1997 "puppy lemon law" provides limited warranty protection for consumers who purchase sick dogs.
Yesterday's lawsuit seeks restitution for the cost of the dogs, as well as civil penalties of up to $3,000 per violation.
The suit also asks the court to shut down the kennel until restitution, fines and costs are paid.
Consumers who want to file complaints in this case or others should contact the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 1-800-441-2555.
Did you buy a puppy from Bulldog Ravine or Brenda Moncrieff?
An urgent message from the HSUS
Lisa Mullins didn't know she was purchasing a sick puppy when she bought her bulldog, Otis, from Bulldog Ravine. The Internet seller had a flashy website depicting cute, healthy puppies, concealing the true nature of its business.
It wasn't until after Otis became seriously ill that Lisa realized she'd been had: he came from a puppy importer who has reportedly sold unhealthy bulldogs from overseas puppy mills. Sadly, Otis died at only 8 months of age.
Like many Internet sellers, Bulldog Ravine owner Brenda Moncrieff may have operated under more than one business name using more than one website to market English and French bulldog puppies. These alternative business names and websites may include: B & E English Bulldogs, Heavenly French Bulldogs, APlusBulldogs.com, MNMBulldogs.com and GreenacresBulldogs.com.
If you have purchased a sick dog from any of these businesses, or any other such business or Internet site that markets French or English bulldogs, or if you otherwise have had a negative experience with any of these businesses, pleasecontact usimmediately. If you have friends, neighbors, or family members who have experience with any of these businesses or sites, we would also like to hear their stories. Please share this message with them and ask them to contact us if they are willing to share their stories.
Unethical puppy sellers like Bulldog Ravine typically promise purchasers that they only sell healthy dogs who have been raised in a home, but often these people are in the business of selling unhealthy puppies from miserable puppy mills. They also may promise pedigree papers that they cannot deliver.
Also see whyBULLDOG RAVINE IS BAD
Puppy Mills 
