An online petition is seeking to stop the opening of an American Dog Club retail unit in the Westfield Trumbull Mall.
“While a store full of puppies may sound ”˜cute,”™ it is well known that the treatment of animals in these types of stores borders on inhumane and abusive,” said the Change.org petition. “Between the small metal cages lined with newspaper that they live in, the hamster size water droppers they drink from, the low-end food that they are fed and the disgustingly unsanitary conditions, it seems clear that the priority is NOT the health and well being of the animals. It is nothing short of a slum for these poor dogs and is NOT the kind of place we want opening in our mall!”
The petition drive, which had 1,321 signatures as of 8 a.m. today, is credited to Sheri Goldberg, a Trumbull resident who also used her Facebook page to urge direct contact with the Trumbull Mall”™s management. “Please take a moment and peacefully do the same to let him know how you feel!” she wrote. “The more voices they hear from, the better!”
American Dog Club, which has two locations in Long Island, refuted claims that it supports puppy mills and disreputable breeders. “All our puppies are from USDA certified licensed private breeders to assure proper compliance with all breeding standards,” said the company on its website, adding that it ensures canine health with “the best staff of experienced kennel technicians, veterinarians and puppy consultants.”
