SCRANTON - The Puppylicious Boutique designer dog breeder in Dickson City was sued in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas by a woman who says she paid $5,000 for a sick puppy who later died in her arms.
According to court documents filed on March 17, plaintiff Christin Lamberti paid the breeder $5,000 for a "puggle" puppy, which is pug and beagle mixed, in November 2020. Lamberti says she was told the puppy had a clean bill of health, despite nasal and eye discharge and heavy breathing; the boutique allegedly dismissed the discharge and heavy breathing as normal to the breed.
Lamberti says that the puppy's condition worsened on the first night he was brought home, and that the breeder's veterinarian refused to see the puppy due to short-staffing. On her way to a different veterinarian with the coughing, lethargic puppy, he died.
The plaintiff says that when she contacted the breeder to inform it of the puppy's death and again inquire whether it was known that the animal was sick, Puppylicious Boutique suggested that Lamberti herself killed the animal.
Lab results found that the puppy was suffering from multiple conditions, including giardia, campylobacter, canine enteric coronavirus and canine parvovirus, the suit says.
The breeder is sued for breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment and violation of the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
Lamberti is represented by Minora Krowiak Munley of Scranton.