The future of Petland in West Des Moines appears uncertain. Wednesday, the store was temporarily closed for inventory. Thursday, the sign simply read "temporarily closed."
For the last year, pet loving protesters have targeted Petland. They claim the store is buying sick puppies from puppy mills and selling them to unsuspecting customers. Some of the protesters say they bought what they believed to be healthy puppies, only to spend thousands in vet bills for a sick animal. Petland officials would not comment on camera, but say the temporary closing is not related to the protests. Instead, it is private matter between the local store owner and the landlord.
No matter how long the business remains closed, protesters see it as a victory. "I'm totally excited if they close. It will bring me closure and probably a lot of other closure that if they shut their doors these animals are being saved," says Jessica Halbrook. She and her husband bought a Siberian Husky puppy from the store. It died three weeks later.
A class action lawsuit is pending against Petland. The Humane Society of the United States re-filed the suit against the company in September. Petland responded by asking for the case to be dismissed.
For the last year, pet loving protesters have targeted Petland. They claim the store is buying sick puppies from puppy mills and selling them to unsuspecting customers. Some of the protesters say they bought what they believed to be healthy puppies, only to spend thousands in vet bills for a sick animal. Petland officials would not comment on camera, but say the temporary closing is not related to the protests. Instead, it is private matter between the local store owner and the landlord.
No matter how long the business remains closed, protesters see it as a victory. "I'm totally excited if they close. It will bring me closure and probably a lot of other closure that if they shut their doors these animals are being saved," says Jessica Halbrook. She and her husband bought a Siberian Husky puppy from the store. It died three weeks later.
A class action lawsuit is pending against Petland. The Humane Society of the United States re-filed the suit against the company in September. Petland responded by asking for the case to be dismissed.
