Illegal Puppy Sales Land 2 In Jail

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa pet shop owner and employee are in hot water after the Florida Department of Agriculture’s law enforcement unit alleges they sold puppies without proper health permits.

The state agency announced the arrest of Maurice Barrett, 25, and Michael Robert Lamprea, 35, this week. The agency says state officers visited Puppies Tampa, 6031 N. Dale Mabry Highway, after receiving complaints about possible violations of law.

“Upon arrival, investigators requested health certificates for each dog for sale in the shop,” an email from the state said. “Barrett refused to supply certificates, ordered fellow employees not to cooperate with officers and removed documents that had been previously provided to the department.”

Barrett and Lamprea were both charged with offering canines for sale without an official Florida certificate of veterinary inspection. The charge is a first-degree misdemeanor. Barrett was also charged with obstructing a department employee. Lamprea owns Puppies Tampa, the agency said.

Under Florida law, any canine offered for sale in the state must have an official certificate of veterinary inspection.

The two men were booked into the Hillsborough County Jail following their May 10 arrest.

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