Gotham Faces Puppy Sale Concerns
New York City is grappling with troubling reports of an illicit puppy dealer operating out of a Mercedes SUV. It seems that these transactions, worth thousands of dollars, are happening right under the noses of locals.
A video was posted on TikTok on October 23, revealing two men brazenly selling miniature and toy poodles in the busy Diamond District. This is particularly controversial since New York has officially banned dog sales and backyard breeding since the previous year.
The video shows two sellers telling interested bystanders that prices range from $3,500 to $4,500 for a puppy. One of the men nonchalantly remarked, “It’s going to be very small,” referring to a tiny 9-week-old puppy nestled in the back seat of their SUV, which had sawdust scattered inside.
“Most of them are going to be teacups, basically,” he claimed, promoting his offerings with enthusiasm. He even mentioned that the puppies were AKC certified, suggesting they were purebred.
Reports indicate that the sellers have shown up multiple times. A Post reporter noted their presence at the same location on West 47th Street a few days earlier, raising concerns among passersby.
One concerned onlooker expressed sadness at the sight, calling it distressing. “This is 100% illegal,” stated Allie Taylor from Animal Rights Voters. She emphasized the need for legislation like the Backyard Breeder Act, aimed at curbing these sorts of sales.
Instances of these truck sales have been occurring since at least summer, with a white Mercedes SUV being reported on Canal Street in August. An anonymous person expressed outrage, describing the puppies as “looking sick” and prompted a call to the authorities.
The NYPD did not comment about this particular incident. Interestingly, a subsequent video showcased the same puppy being sold in a shopping cart alongside counterfeit designer goods, raising eyebrows even further.
In December, New York enacted the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, which prohibits pet store sales of animals sourced from unsanctioned facilities. Now, residents can only adopt dogs from shelters or purchase from certified breeders.
Brian Shapiro from Humane World for Animals noted that there’s little chance these puppies come from responsible sources. He pointed out the importance of buyers knowing the seller’s background and how the animals were raised.
Seeing puppies being sold from a car trunk is hardly a sign of responsible breeding practices. Shapiro stressed that the presence of AKC certification doesn’t guarantee quality, calling it insufficient assurance.
Though trunk sales aren’t specifically outlawed, the NYC Health Code does prohibit selling animals from unlicensed venues, as cited by the ASPCA.
