Animal Cruelty Charge Against Hudson Valley Pet Store Owner

The owner of a friendly pet store located in a busy strip mall here in the Hudson Valley has been charged with three counts of animal cruelty.

Those who've driven past the American Breeders: Puppies & Kittens pet shop in the Dutchess Shopping Plaza in Wappingers Falls have probably seen someone out front in a friendly puppy costume waving at cars and delighting children. Things inside the store, however, are alleged to be much more sinister, as the owner has been charged with the unthinkable.

Richard F. Doyle who owns the pet store in Wappingers, as well as two other locations in Danbury and Mohegan Lake, is alleged to have allowed three animals to be mistreated. According to the Journal News, an investigation by Connecticut state animal control officers turned up three serious allegations.

According to investigators, Doyle performed unlicensed surgery on a Neapolitan Mastiff in March. The surgery was done to the eye of the dog and was conducted in the back of the Danbury pet store location. After surgery, the dog suffered from severe bleeding.

Investigators also allege that Doyle confined a kitten that was critically ill. The kitten did not receive the medical care it needed and was eventually euthanized.

A third charge alleges that the pet store owner brought a Shih Tzu puppy to Danbury from another store location. The dog was never provided with proper care for coughing, vomiting and diarrhea. The Shih Tzu was eventually put down.

The manager of the Danbury location of Puppies and Kittens, Kathy Seton, was also charged with two counts of animal cruelty for her alleged involvement in the animals mistreatment.

Ten dogs from the Wappingers location of Puppies and Kittens were seized by officials back in 2011, leading to Doyle's arrest. After that incident, the Poughkeepsie Journal reports that other customers have come forward alleging they've purchased sickly animals from the location.

Doyle has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on August 6. The Poughkeepsie Journal reports that the Wappingers Falls Puppies and Kittens store is still open.