The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) has launched an investigation into a Chihuahua breeder from Montérégie protocolannounced that she was sentenced last month Paying $8,000 to sell sick puppies.
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“As an organization dedicated to the health and welfare of all dogs, we take this matter very seriously. […] An inquiry has been launched into this matter,” confirms Sarah McDowell, Director of Government Relations at the CCC.
Émy Comeau-L’Heureux owns the Machu Pitou Chihuahua kennel in Sorel-Tracy. She was found guilty twice in petty claims last month for selling sick dogs.
Portrait of Émy Comeau-L’Heureux, director of the Machu Pitou Chihuahua breed. Photo by Emy C. Stars Facebook
In all, Ms Comeau-L’Heureux had to pay $8,000 to two clients whose animals had to be hospitalized just days after they were adopted.
“The matter is currently under review by the Regulatory Division and is subject to the full Canadian Kennel Club legal process,” said McDowell, who is unable to provide further details due to ongoing litigation.
Note that at the time of writing, the breeder is still a member of the CKC, giving her the country’s “good breeder” title.
Dead after 9 days
According to court records, Cindy Scully adopted a puppy from the Machu Pitou Chihuahua kennel in November 2019.
“Very quickly she realized that the puppy was sick and had to be hospitalized. “The vet examining him suspects a congenital disease or a portosystemic shunt,” according to the small claims judgment issued in June last year.
The dog eventually died 9 days after his adoption. Émy Comeau-L’Heureux had to reimburse him $5,000 for adoption expenses and vet visits, among other things.
The Machu Pitou Chihuahua breed runs many promotions on social networks to sell their dogs. Screenshot of Machu Pitou Chihuahua’s Facebook page
Julie Lassonde also sued the breeder because her dog was seriously ill when she got home. Her Chihuahua, named Henri, was hospitalized with a “serious bacterial infection.” Ms. Comeau-L’Heureux was therefore ordered to reimburse him about $2,500 for these troubles.
“[Je] wants a change in attitude or behavior on their part [l’éleveuse]. If she is not awarded such damages, she will continue to sell sick puppies with abusive sales contracts,” Ms Lassonde told the court before winning her case.
Despite everything, she carries on
According to our checks, Émy Comeau-L’Heureux is still very active on social networks and on the website where she promotes her breed.
“Available at a very low price with the aim of finding excellent families for them quickly,” she wrote again last week on the Machu Pitou Chihuahuas Facebook page in a bid to sell her little 12-week-old animals quickly.
Screenshot of Machu Pitou Chihuahua’s Facebook page
Ms Comeau-L’Heureux did not respond to our interview request at the time this text was published.
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