People are selling caged puppies in the parking lot of a Lake Norman Walmart despite complaints from the public, repeated visits by police and orders from store managers to leave.
In sweltering heat, shoppers spotted sellers again in the parking lot of the Walmart off Interstate 77 exit 36 (N.C. 150) in Mooresville over the July Fourth weekend. Business was brisk, shoppers wrote on Nextdoor.
“I went there today and the cages were full and when I left there were 2 left,” a Huntersville woman said on Nextdoor.
Her post received 125 replies, many from fellow Lake Norman residents expressing concern about the puppies’ health and whether they came from puppy mills.
“Several years ago they were there almost every weekend,” a Davidson woman said. “My friend got one of the pups and when they went to the vet discovered the pup was quite sick. It hadn’t had any of the basic shots, no de-worming etc.”
“I got a boxer who ended up having parvo,” a Mooresville woman said. “Lived but pretty expensive to treat and got for $50.”
Residents on Nextdoor reported seeing different breeds for sale, large and small.
“We’re aware these sellers sometimes set up in our store parking lot,” Alicia Anger, director of global communications for Walmart corporate affairs, told The Charlotte Observer in an email. “When brought to our attention, we instruct them to leave the property.”
She referred the Observer to the town of Mooresville regarding laws and ordinances governing the sale of puppies in parking lots.
Laws protect puppy sellers, police say
Who the sellers are and where they’re getting the puppies wasn’t known last week.
The Charlotte Observer didn’t see sellers on four visits to the Walmart on the mornings and afternoons of Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14.
Police told the Observer that puppies for sale outside the Walmart appeared in good condition when officers responded to eight calls between Jan. 1 and Thursday.
Officers spoke with the sellers each time and “verified that they are providing food, water, and shelter for the dogs,” according to a Mooresville Police Department statement to the Observer on Thursday. “In none of the calls did officers note that the dogs appeared neglected, malnourished or in need of medical attention.”
Sales are legal if the puppies are at least eight weeks old, according to Iredell County Animal Control, which enforces animal control ordinances in the Mooresville town limits. The seller must provide food, water and shelter to the puppies, animal control officials said.
In its statement, the Mooresville Police Department said it “understands the concern expressed by members of the public about puppies being sold in the parking lot of Walmart.”
“Unfortunately,” police said, “selling puppies in local parking lots is not illegal under Mooresville Town Ordinances, Iredell County Animal Control Ordinances, or State Statutes.”
“Always adopt — never shop”
Still, never buy a puppy for sale in a shopping center parking lot, said Jenn Gatto, director of development for Mooresville-based Lake Norman Humane .
“Puppies sold in shopping center parking lots often come from questionable places, like a puppy mill, or unethical breeders,” Gatto said in an email Friday.
Many of the puppies lack vaccinations, medical care, socialization and testing, she said, “which could have devastating results to the family.”
Gatto said she strongly encourages people to buy puppies and other pets from rescue organizations and shelters.
“Always adopt — never shop,” PETA media officer Nicole Meyer said.
“Around 70 million dogs and cats are homeless in the U.S. at any given time,” Meyer said in an email. “And whenever someone buys an animal, including from a random seller, they’re exacerbating this crisis and encouraging sellers to breed more animals.”
“Responsible breeders won’t sell dogs in parking lots or to pet stores,” according to a statement to the Observer from the ASPCA.
Legitimate breeders “will invite you in to see where their puppies are raised (and) show you the dog’s mother,” ASPCA officials said in an email.
Breeders on the up-and-up also will give you the dog’s veterinary records, discuss your expectations for a puppy and be available after you return home with a dog, according to the ASPCA.
Reporting concerns about animals
Mooresville police said anyone concerned about the safety and welfare of dogs being sold in parking lots should call Iredell County Animal Control at 704-878-5335.
“An Animal Control Officer can respond to check on the animals,” police said.
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