SOMERSET- Controversy is unfolding in Somerset County over two litters of German shepherd puppies, soon to be up for adoption at the Humane Society.
Sixteen of the 22 puppies surrendered by the breeder already had families interested, or had put a deposit down.
The Humane Society told 6 News that those families can put in an application, but it’s not guaranteed they will get a puppy.
“We were all psyched and excited. I knew that these puppies were born and I went there like the second day they were born. I was able to hold her in my hands,” said Bailey Hovanec.
In March, Hovanec and her fiancé, Jeff Steele, both from Johnstown, told 6 News they put a $200 deposit down and got a dog license for the puppy they chose.
“Then, she (the breeder) called me and told me that her dogs were being surrendered,” Havenec said.
Many families said they went to the Humane Society as soon as they learned the pups were taken there.
Leann Stewart, a supervisor and humane officer at the shelter, told 6 News the shelter is considering applications from Somerset County residents first, because donations are based out of Somerset.
“We’re sympathetic to those families but don’t go on a first dibs basis,” Stewart said.
Stewart said they were tipped off that the puppies may had been kept in poor living-conditions by the breeder.
After getting a search warrant, Stewart said the puppies were living in deplorable conditions, leading the breeder to surrender the dogs.
According to Kristen Donmoyer, director of bureau dog law enforcement, anyone who owns 26 or more dogs in a calendar year is considered a kennel.
The breeder in this case had 22 puppies and 6 adult dogs without a kennel license, Stewart said.
Donmoyer said, though they cannot comment on this case because it is an open investigation, in cases like this, she said a breeder has three choices.
"A breeder can appeal, get a valid-license or surrender the dogs," Donmoyer said.
Families who were set to take a puppy home are now next in line to 100 others who already put in their applications.
“She took the paper, because I already had it filled out, and she said 'I'll take it but we already have a stack this thick,’” Havenic said.
The breeder, Sarah Robertson, told 6 News she’s outraged the shelter won’t honor those who had first dibs.
“They told me in person when they took them away I can refer the puppy people but they can’t guarantee anything,” Robertson said.
“She (the breeder) gave them the paper that has everybody's names and numbers on them and said 'please give these people their dogs, they already put deposits down, these dogs are promised to people,’ and I don't know what happened to that paper but they didn't even acknowledge that,” Havenic said.
Mona Brallier, of Everett, said she is in the same position.
“I go up there to put in an application. Not only were they rude and unkind, but the very first thing she (shelter official) asked everyone that walked into door was ‘Are you here about German shepherd puppies? If so, are you from Somerset County?’ "So, those of us who purchased a puppy basically had no chance of getting a puppy,” Brallier said.
The breeder said those that put down a deposit will be getting their deposits back.
The shelter said the puppies aren’t up for adoption just yet, as they are about 7 1/2 weeks old.
Stewart said charges are pending by the state dog warden against the breeder.
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