Home : Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Critters : Humane Society to Celebs: It Ain't Puppy Love

Humane Society to Celebs: It Ain't Puppy Love

Posted Dec 11th 2007 2:56PM by TMZ Staff

UPDATE: The L.A. Department of Animal Regulations has just shut down Pets of Bel Air because we're told three of the store's permits have expired. Lt. Troy Boswell tells TMZ the store's permit to sell live animals has been expired for three and a half years (yikes!). We're also told the Department has checked out all the animals currently in the store and they all seem to be in good health. A worker at the pet store insists they've done nothing wrong.

The pet store has 48 hours to renew their permits.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) today revealed undercover footage linking a popular pet store-to-the-stars with a puppy mill that supplies them. Oh the humane-ity!
Britney, Paris, Puppies
The HSUS alleges that Pets of Bel Air -- a trendy pet shop that boasts Paris Hilton, Denise Richards, Demi Moore, Britney Spears and Robin Williams among its clientele, who spend as much as $2,400 for a Maltese -- gets their puppies from puppy mills. In fact, TMZ also spotted Britney shopping there just this past weekend.

Pets of Bel Air told HSUS investigators they don't get their puppies from puppy mills, but the HSUS says that simply not the dogs'-honest truth. They allege the shop buys from mills in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa and Missouri. Undercover footage shot by the HSUS at one such puppy mill shows cage after cage of little dogs locked up and going "cage crazy." Not a pretty sight.

Puppy mills sell dogs who live their entire lives in cages and are continually bred for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever becoming part of a family.

Calls to the Pets of Bel Air shop were not immediately returned.

Comments [161]
SHARE |
4ie6

Reader Comments

(Page 10 of 11) Previous 15 Comments | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

136. Do we really think Paris or Brittany care a thing about puppy mills and the mistreatment of animals? All they care about is partying and shopping and driving drunk or stoned.
I noticed not one of the bitches always carrying their cute little dogs around didn't say one word about Michael Vick dog fighting and the torture of his poor dogs.
I bet they never give a penny to The Humane Society or any other animal charity.

Posted at 8:41AM on Dec 12th 2007 by LaShawna

137. There is simply no way that a reputable breeder would sell to a pet store, when they can make more money by selling their litters themselves. Not to mention that reputable breeders want to know where their puppies are going. You are all correct...ALL PET STORE DOGS ARE BOUGHT "WHOLESALE" VIA PUPPY MILLS.

If you are an animal lover, then you care that millions of homeless dogs need homes, and you will adopt!! 1800SAVEA PET.COM and PETFINDER.COM. Plus, local rescues too!! There are PLENTY of puppies that need homes!

Posted at 9:00AM on Dec 12th 2007 by Fluffernutter

138.

To # 3 Lori

Attagirl. That's exactly what they are. No way would I purchase a puppy from anyone other than a reputable breeder.

Many breed organizations even ask that their breeders only have a limited number of litters per year also.

Posted at 9:38AM on Dec 12th 2007 by OCD

139. I Love Dog, I Korean They taste very Good Thank You very much

Posted at 9:37AM on Dec 12th 2007 by lee wah

140. Thank you so much Lori, for focusing on a real issue and pointing out the truth!!! Luckily we have many celebrities who do rescue animals, but I wish that more would do so..... they can really help to get the message out there to those who aren't aware, especially in this celebrity obsessed world (vomits a little).

Thank you for spreading the message as well. These puppy mills need to be stopped. There are so many animals in shelters all over the country who desperately need homes and love. Not only does it cost lot less to adopt a dog... but to the animal, their being adopted by a loving person and/or family... is priceless.

Posted at 9:41AM on Dec 12th 2007 by Sara

141. IS THERE A REASON THESE PEOPLE NEED TO PAY ALL THIS MONEY FOR A PET??
I ADORE MINE. DOES NO ONE REALIZE THAT THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS LOADED WITH LOVING DOGS AND CATS THAT WOULD LOVE A GOOD HOME. MY SISTER JUST RECUED ONE FROM PETFINDERS AND WE ADORE HIM. HE IS A FULL GORWN 6 1/2 POODLE, HAD A TERRIBLE LIFE AND NOW LIVES LIKE A LITTLE KING. HE IS ADORED,LOVED AND CARED FOR,AND A GREAT COMFORT TO MY SISTER WHO LOST HER HUSBAND AND HER DOG IN THE SAME YEAR. WE WOULDN'T TRADE HIM.
THE FIRST THING WE DO IN THE A.M. IS TAKE OUR PETS OUT AND THEN FEED THEM!
I DOUBT PARIS,BRIT OR ANYONE OF THEM CARRYING THOSE LITTLE DOGS THEY BOUGHT AS ACCESSORIES FEED THEIR OWN PETS FOR HEAVEN SAKES.
PLEASE EVERYONE THINK HUMANE SOCIETY OR PETFINDERS. THEN THEY WILL HAVE TO STOP THIS INHUMANE THING OF BREEDING THESE POOR DOGS FOR YRS.

Posted at 9:58AM on Dec 12th 2007 by GOOD GIRL

142. I'd like to see more stars rescue animals instead of buy them. Show a little heart..

Posted at 10:18AM on Dec 12th 2007 by chris

143. Oh come on. Not everyone is as up to date and all knowledgeable about puppy mills, etc. I'm just starting to learn about it. So lay off the Britney's and Paris'. Britney didn't steal the dog, they said she DIDN'T take them home, so get your facts staight. And yeah, she was investigated by the SPCA or whatever it was when her dog got hurt and was CLEARED. I have a dog and 2 cats and when my nephews and neices (2-3yrs old) come over, they play with the animals, love on the animals, feed them treats, and yes, sometimes they hurt them by accident.

Posted at 10:38AM on Dec 12th 2007 by Oh please

144. Hey Oh please you should be careful how your pets get hurt. They are not here for kids to
"hurt" by accident. You should be watching them! I rescued a German Shepherd puppy from a puppy mill she weighed only 12.5 pounds at 3.5 months. She should have weighed around 25 or 30. These stars need to show some heart! There are plenty of beautiful wonderful pets out there that need homes. They also are not like jewerly that you wear with a new outfit! ALL PUPPY MILLS SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN!!!

Posted at 11:06AM on Dec 12th 2007 by animal lover

145. 102. They should call this place "the pet store where DUMBASSES shop". You've got 2 of the biggest media whore dumbasses, pair-ASS and SLUTney, shopping there. Maybe they could both be there at the same time, and there could be a fire...that would be nice...

Posted at 8:58PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Disgusting


OH GROW UP IDIOT......WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN MAKE CHOICES...AND TO BE DICTATED BY ALL YOU IDIOTS THAT DONT KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT...YOU PROBABLY DONT EVEN OWN A DOG...YOU CANT SUPPORT A DOG ON FOOD STAMPS...HELL MY TWO DOGS PROBABLY COST MORE THAN YOUR HOME AND ARE BETTER TAKEN CARE OF...THEY EAT GOOD WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF FOOD STAMPS................GO TO A STORE...OR YOU'LL GET ONE OF MICHAEL VICKS DOGS!!!!!!! THIS IS THE IDIOT YOU SELF RIGHTEOUS SPCA AND PETA LOVERS..........JUST YESTERDAY A FRIEND OF MINE WAS CALLED A "FUR WEARING BITCH" FROM PETA IDIOTS....IF THEY ONLY KNEW IT WAS FAKE FUR LINED JACKET. THESE IDIOTS CANNOT TELL REAL FUR FROM FAKE!

Posted at 11:33AM on Dec 12th 2007 by MOIRA

146. Puppy millers and other large-scale breeders are despicable, money-grubbing morons.
Pet shop owners/managers who buy puppies in bulk and resell them to the public using deceptive advertising and sales practices to make themselves *seem* honorable should be sentenced to years of community service with humane organizations.
That said --- I can't help but laugh at the thought of these wealthy celebrities who won't be seen in anything but the most expensive cars, jewelry, designer clothes, and exclusive clubs, buying their pets from a puppy mill outlet. Ding dang, ya might as well buy your red-carpet gown at Walmart if you want to look that un-cool, and leave the puppy in the shop :->

Posted at 11:51AM on Dec 12th 2007 by D

147. Not every pet store buys from puppy mills. Consider PetSmart, and local Feed and Variety stores near NOLA, where I live. Both coordinate with rescue shelters for their dogs and cats and contribute greatly to shelter and rescue operations in the area.

Puppy mills are disgusting. HSUS has a lot of information about them and everyone should look into this before considering to "buy" any animal.

Other great organizations: Animal Legal Defense Fund (prosecute animal cruelty cases including puppy mill cases), The Animals and Society Forum, ASPCA, local SPCAs and, of course, HSUS. Get involved!!!!

Posted at 12:09PM on Dec 12th 2007 by amy

148. 128. #7, you are no different then a puppy mill yourself...breeding to win a contest, you keep the pups long enough to see if they have all the right markings, color, and behavior,,, Hoping at least 1 out of this liter will make it in the ring .so you can get your prize... and if they don't have what it takes you keep them in cages until you can get rid of them,,, and then you keep breeding again and again, until you can say you have a champion and then you charge more for your puppies.....All for what, a blue ribbon, or maybe a small trophy..You have no right to judge.and you should be ashamed of yourself.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You have absolutely no idea what youre talking about. My family put the utmost time and care into the whopping 5 dogs we owned personally who all slept on the beds in the house and were well mannered, well treated and most importantly, well loved, including the "non-show quality" dogs we owned right along side our champions.. The only "cage" the dogs ever saw was the crate they travelled in and as someone who advocates kepping breeding to a minimum, I know that your blatant ignorance toward my original statement comes from the fact that you dont know me, my family or any reputable breeder or dog handler to talk out the side of your mouth as you have.

There are good reasons for having standards for purebred dogs and mostly it is to maintain their original function from hundreds of years ago and general appearance. Every good breeder knows to take care of their animals and to watch for health problems and to make sure any health problems that can be transferred to off spring genetically should not be bred and the dog is fixed and loved no less than they were before and we never "placed" a dog because they werent worthy. But again, you dont know anything about me or my family despite the fact that your willing to judge me and tell me not to judge when i actually never judged anyone or anything regarding this subject.

Being a pet owner is almost like being a parent and even for some, the pets are "the kids". No one should go into getting a pet without being prepared for the responsibility of it, but in the case of "pets' people should be aware of where the pet is coming from, what the money is going toward, whether it is to a store, a mill, a breeder or a shelter or rescue.

Posted at 12:15PM on Dec 12th 2007 by Curious

149. I adopted my dog and paid a "fee" which is normal.. fees ensure the person is really true in buying a dog.
What I like about adopting is they go through testing, so really people like Paris and Britney may not be able to adopt because they are train wrecks.

Posted at 12:27PM on Dec 12th 2007 by chirality

150. Deaf dogs are the best companions! They are smart dogs. I have one from rescue group. Deaf puppies are known to put down to sleep after 3 days of birth with many back yard breeders. If you never heard of deaf dogs before, and check it out at Deaf Dogs Fund Education website. Look at these pictures, falling in love like owning a dog.

Posted at 12:32PM on Dec 12th 2007 by Julie G.

Previous 15 Comments | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments