Followup: Puppyland was out-of-step with Renton’s Mission Statement; see the online discussion here

My wife Cathy and me with our beloved Labrador Retriever (not from Puppyland)

When Puppyland opened in Renton a few years ago, several of their business practices seemed out-of-step with the City of Renton’s Mission Statement. Our Mission Statement includes the words: ” Provide a safe, healthy and vibrant community”; and “Building an inclusive, informed and hate-free city with equitable outcomes for all in support of social, economic, and racial justice.”

The Renton Puppyland store is now closed, and the company is under investigation by the Attorney General for a number of issues including selling sick puppies, predatory lending and using threats to silence online reviews.   All of these alleged violations are inconsistent with our Renton Mission Statement.

From the Attorney General’s press release:

“Puppyland’s standard purchase paperwork included an illegal non-disclosure provision that attempted to prevent consumers from sharing truthful information about their experience. Individuals who signed the paperwork agreed not to “disparage, defame, sully or compromise the goodwill” of Puppyland, or face the threat of legal action”

I gave some history on this topic, including the controversy regarding the approval of the anti-puppy-mill ordinance that Renton implemented in response to this store, on a blog post on July 1st.   As with most of my posts, an online discussion arose in the comment section, and a Puppyland lobbyist joined in.   In her comments the lobbyist offered the opinion that Puppyland actually supported equity by giving more people an opportunity to have dogs.  I and other readers argued against that claim, saying predatory lending, outrageously high prices, and ongoing veterinary costs are not what any residents need, that they can be destabilizing for family finances, and there are better ways to get a dog.  The online comment discussion heated up and soon became enlightening on its own, and I encourage readers to review it.

I remain very sympathetic for the customers of Puppyland who were taken advantage of, and I hope those who have not lost their puppies to health issues (or repossession if that’s ever happened) will find joy in their cute new family members in spite of the business and health issues they may have encountered.  It’s not the puppies’ fault, and the little bundles of joy deserve all the love our community can dish out.

As a Council Member and Renton resident I always worked to help us demonstrate the values and achieve the goals our City of Renton Mission Statement and Business Plan, a document I helped write and modify over many of years on City Council.  This plan is extremely important, and as a co-author of it, it summarizes my values very well.

Readers can read the entire comment stream here.