Attorney General's News Release

June 5, 2008

Judge issues injunction against Gasconade County kennel that sold sick dogs, took money without delivering dogs

Hermann, Mo. - A Gasconade County judge has ordered the owner of a kennel near Bland to stop shipping, selling or giving away any dogs. In March, Attorney General Jay Nixon sued Jodie Craft, who does business as Safe Haven Puppy Rescue and Rise-N-Shine Kennels, after inspectors from the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) determined that Craft had recently sold and shipped three dogs that were diagnosed with parvovirus, a highly contagious viral disease. Nixon amended his lawsuit in April with charges that Craft violated consumer protection laws by taking money for dogs that were never delivered and by misrepresenting the health of dogs she sold.

The preliminary injunction from Associate Circuit Judge John B. Berkemeyer prevents Craft from shipping, selling or giving away any animals from any of her animal care facilities, and from further violating Missouri consumer protection laws. She must also identify in writing for the Attorney General and MDA any dogs in her possession that are under contract to be sold or transferred. That list will be reviewed to determine if the State objects to the transfer of any of those dogs. Craft then will be able to transfer any animals to which the State did not make an objection to its transfer.

Craft has requested that her license from the State to sell dogs be terminated within 100 days. The judge ordered her to provide to the Attorney General and the court her written suggestion of how to dispose of any remaining dogs in her possession.

A hearing will be scheduled on Nixon's request for a permanent injunction. Nixon is seeking restitution for those consumers who suffered monetary losses.

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Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818