Why Puppyland will pay nearly 4M after WA alleged illegal sales, advertising practices

Puppyland, a Puyallup-based pet store, has been ordered to pay $3. 75 million to settle a lawsuit from the Washington state Attorney General's Office, which accused the store of misleading customers regarding health guarantees for puppies and channeling them into predatory loan agreements. The settlement requires Puppyland to pay the amount in installments by June 2026, with interest accumulating until the total is paid off. As part of the consent decree, Puppyland must implement several reforms, including clear advertising of puppy prices and truthful representation of breeding standards. Newly sworn Attorney General Nick Brown condemned the store's practices, asserting that they took advantage of pet buyers' emotions while leading them into significant debt.

Puppyland issued a statement disagreeing with the allegations but expressed a commitment to ethical practices and customer care. The Attorney General’s Office noted that Puppyland must comply with state and local laws moving forward, especially after the recent passage of stricter regulations affecting pet sales. This lawsuit follows another settlement in Pierce County related to similar claims about deceptive sales tactics. Customers whose puppies became sick within a year of purchase may be eligible for reimbursement of veterinary costs, further emphasizing the implications of the settlement for affected consumers.