LI Pet Store Ordered To Pay $300K For 'Deceptive Practices': AG

NEW YORK, NY — A pet store with two locations in Nassau County has been ordered to pay nearly $300,000 to more than 175 customers who unknowingly bought sick puppies, Attorney General Letitia James said Friday.

As part of the settlement, Shake A Paw is also required to change its business practices after an investigation by the attorney general's office found dogs were kept in inhumane conditions and sold critically sick puppies that died within days or weeks of purchase, James said.

The locations cited are located in Lynbrook on Atlantic Avenue and Hicksville on South Broadway.

Shake A Paw's attorney Richard Hamburger said in a statement, "Shake A Paw has never mistreated or abused any animals in its care and the Supreme Court, almost two years ago, dismissed the Attorney General's contrary claim that it had.

"The settlement agreement vindicates Shake A Paw that there was no consumer fraud, that Shake A Paw does not sell sick puppies, and that Shake A Paw lived up to its refund, exchange and reimbursement obligations under the New York Pet Lemon Law," Hamburger said.

In announcing the settlement on Friday, James said: "New Yorkers who purchase a dog are seeking loyal and loving additions to their families. Unknowingly buying a sick puppy can be downright heartbreaking," James said. "Not only did Shake A Paw’s owners treat the dogs in their care despicably, they defrauded their customers by lying about their health, leaving many families stuck with expensive veterinary bills."

James said Shake a Paw was sued in December 2021 after her office's investigation revealed the two locations falsely advertised sick pets as healthy, failed to disclose the animals’ legitimate medical conditions and refused to reimburse consumers for veterinarian bills they incurred because the dogs they purchased were sick.

In one case, James said, a customer purchased a puppy who died just six days after a Shake A Paw employee told them that the puppy was “fine.” In another case, a customer’s puppy was hospitalized for severe double pneumonia only two days after purchase, the attorney general said.

"No pet store, no shelter, no hobby breeder can assure that none of its puppies will ever get sick after purchase," Hamburger said on behalf of Shake A Paw.

According to the attorney general, Shake A Paw also lied to customers about the sources of its puppies, failing to fully disclose to consumers that their puppies originated from known puppy mills, James said.

While its website claimed that they “work with the most trusted breeders nationwide and handpick the best of the bunch,” in reality, Shake A Paw’s owners shipped thousands of puppies from known puppy mills, including one on the Humane Society’s “horrible hundred” list of the worst breeders in the country, James said.

"I would like to thank the Attorney General’s office for working tirelessly for years on this case,” said Erin Laxton, a former Shake A Paw customer. "I appreciate that Shake A Paw is being held accountable for their deceptive practices. Coming to a resolution after so much time is a huge relief and I feel like I was able to get justice for my poor puppy, Merlin. I miss my puppy every day but I am proud to have been part of this process."

Shake A Paw will be banned from selling dogs entirely starting in December as the result of a new state law taking effect that prevents pet stores from selling dogs.

James added: "Shake A Paw’s days of buying and selling sick puppies are over, and their former customers will get restitution for the losses they suffered. I will continue to fight to protect consumers and hold accountable all those who violate laws meant to protect innocent animals."

"No lawful tax-paying small business should have to experience what Shake A Paw endured for the past two and one-half years at the hands of Letitia James - press conferences and press releases filled with false and inflammatory statements, secret surveillance, allegations of animal abuse and neglect unsupported by any credible evidence, motion after repetitive motion, shifting theories of liability, and deliberate delay or refusal to disclose witnesses and medical record evidence," Hamburger said.