Adding a puppy is a momentous and happy occasion for most families. But for some in Northern California, the experience turned into heartache.
California Pets and Supply in Dixon has been shut down and more than a dozen puppies, from Yorkies to shih tzus, were removed from the store while the Solano County District Attorney's office investigates several complaints of sick puppies being sold.
Nicolle Williams and her family fell in love with Peanut the first time they saw the little Yorkie. They expected to have the little pup for years but he died in just days.
"He looked great." Williams said. "You never would have thought anything was wrong with him. He was a normal puppy doing normal puppy things."
Five days after Peanut became part of the family it was obvious something was wrong. Williams said the, "He just started going around in circles and acting like he was confused and dazed." Peanut started vomiting so they took him to the emergency vet.
"The nurse grabbed Peanut out of his hands," Williams said, "and said 'he's seizing, give him to me immediately'"
Peanut had pneumonia and on day 6 -- Thanksgiving -- he died.
The Solano County District Attorney's Office issued this statement: "We had to act immediately to protect the citizens of Solano county from people who were exposing the public to sick or diseased puppies while at the same time profiting from sales of the animals."
The business and its owners, Christopher Ellis and Leanna Kamp, are now under investigation for animal cruelty. Investigators say the owners were selling sick and diseased animals to customers online and from the store. The suspects' attorney, William Bernheim, denies the accusations.
