The Washoe County District Attorney's Office has indicted the owners of Puppies Plus and Puppy Love on six felony charges, including torturing and/or killing an animal.
Michael and Leilani Schneider, co-owners of Puppies Plus in Reno and Puppy Love in Sparks, are facing charges concerning how they allegedly treat and care for the animals they sell.
“Five counts of practicing veterinary medicine without a license, and one count felony animal abuse,” said Chief Investigator for the Washoe County DA’s Office Michelle Bays.
In charges filed by the Washoe County District Attorney's Office, they say the owners of Puppies Plus and Puppy Love ordered their employees to perform various veterinary techniques without consulting a licensed veterinarian. And in one case, they say, failed to provide veterinary care to a sick puppy, which lead to its death.
“Each of these charges are a category D felony, so they carry a one to four years in prison and then potentially a $5000 fine," said Bays.
The indictment states in part that the suspects "tortured and or killed a Cocker Spaniel... by refusing or withholding necessary veterinary care, and caused the dog to experience unjustifiable physical pain."
Washoe County Regional Animal Services started the investigation into the businesses in late 2017 and then took it to the DA's Office.
Animal Services is taking steps to keep tabs on other pet shops and boarding facilities with a relatively new law passed called the Commercial Animal Welfare Permit.
It makes it mandatory for shops to get the okay from Animal Services in order to get a permit for business.
“The Commercial Animal Welfare Permit is a system that we recently adopted into our code that gives us better oversight for those businesses that sell animals and board animals so that we can ensure that the standard of care for the animals in those environments are being provided," said Director for Washoe County Regional Animal Services, Shyanne Schull.
The next step is an arraignment in District Court.
Michael Schneider's attorney says he is set to plead not guilty when he appears in court.
Leilani Schneider does not currently have anyone representing her. She is requesting a public defender or appointed council.
The two have an arraignment scheduled for next Wednesday, September 18 at 9 a.m.
In the meantime, if you have done business with Puppies Plus or Puppy Love and have seen anything that may be suspicious, you are urged to contact the Washoe County Animal Services.
You can read the full indictment below.
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve says she will be calling a special meeting to discuss the implications of the case.
She said the meeting will be on September 19 at 6 p.m.
The City of Reno says they will be discussing a resolution initiating to impose a pending moratorium until October 24.
The moratorium is on the acceptance of new or change in ownership of business license applications for pet stores and any business intending to conduct the sale of live animals.
The City of Reno says Mayor Schieve wants to discuss the issue and challenges and what the City can and cannot do.
This is a developing story.
Calling for a special session on the matter. I hope the public will join me and my council members @NeomaJardon @NaomiDuerr @votereese @OscarDelgadoNV @bonnieweber @CityofReno Sept. 19th, 6pm https://t.co/TUMs02SuQE
— Mayor Hillary Schieve (@MayorSchieve) September 12, 2019
