David Cassuto
A federal district court in Phoenix has allowed a racketeering trial to proceed against Petland. The suit alleges that Petland violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and myriad state laws by misleading thousands of consumers across the country into believing that the puppies they purchased were healthy and came from high-quality breeders. Read more here; related post here.
Filed under: animal advocacy, animal law, animal welfare | Tagged: animal abuse, animal advocacy, animal cruelty, animal law, animal suffering, animal welfare, Petland, puppy mills, Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act, RICO |
Animal Blawg 
While Petland’s alleged actions are reprehensible, if true, I am bothered by the district court’s willingness to allow litigation to proceed as a RICO action. This kind of lawsuit is light years away from the legislative basis for RICO and while the desired end is laudatory. the means may not be.
I kind of like the idea that the term “racketeer” retain its traditional legal meaning.
And as stated above, Petland can be nailed on other clearly more solid bases.
I have adopted 2 rescue dogs that were deserted by their former owners. They are the most lovable animals I have ever experienced. It is atrocious how some individuals treat animals like belongings or worse. My hope is that more people will get enlightened about this issue.
Although Petland is not a mafia enterprise, I can see why they would try to prosecute it as “organized crime”. But I agree with Ralph- this case does not fall under RICO. This is an example of federal prosecutors taking the language of the law and stretching it to apply to the current situation. As much as this photo makes me sick, I don’t think Petland was charged appropriately.