Investigators visited 12 Chicago area pet stores during a three-day period in October and found they are linked to inhumane commercial breeders, or puppy mills, according to the Humane Society. Employees at the stores told the undercover investigators that the animals were not from puppy mills, but documents showed otherwise, according to the Humane Society.
No violations have been filed against the stores in connection with the HSUS investigation.
"As a result of similar investigations in the past, we have seen an increase in enforcement of the current laws and increased consumer litigation and would not be at all surprised if that was the result of this investigation as well," Niki Ianni, HSUS, said.
The Humane Society recommends people interested in getting a pet adopt through a rescue center or shelter, or find a reputable breeder.
The Humane Society says more than 2,000 puppies were shipped to Chicago pet stores during a six-month period from puppy mills. Iowa puppy "brokers" supply the largest number of puppy mill puppies to the Chicago area, but the animals also come from Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Ohio and Indiana, too, according to the Humane Society.
