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 Traci Murai

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."

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.

Essential Links - Imported Dogs

TheWrong Puppy- the best website on the scandalous importation of sick dogs

California attorney John Hoffman, known as an expert on imported dogs, testified before Congress on the epidemic of sick and dying imported dogs.  Clickhereto read his testimony.   
  
Identifying an Import Puppy Broker