Berkley's Puppygram pet shop told to halt dog sales as officials investigate abuse claims

(Detroit Free Press) Berkley officials have launched an investigation into the operators of a shop selling puppies and are expected to take up efforts at the city next council meeting in March to draft new ordinances to better regulate pet stores after residents complained and protested this week.

The city notified operators of Puppygram, which recently opened at 28297 Woodward, that they must stop selling dogs and other items after the city said the store did not have a business license, Torri Mathes, Berkley's communication director confirmed.

But local shop manager Andrea Bommarito, who was in the store with another person and about 25 puppies Wednesday afternoon, said that it had a business license, the city rescinded it, and allegations against the store are baseless and it expects the shop to reopen after it passes fire and building inspections.

Mathes said the store can still care for the puppies, but not sell them, until a license is issued.

In addition, Mathes said, the city police are investigating whether animals suffered abuse or mistreatment. News of the city's investigation of the puppy shop and protest this week have made statewide headlines, with one local resident claiming the store "has a long history of being tied to animals that are not well cared for." ..............(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2023/02/22/berkley-pet-shop-puppygram-dogs-manager/69932680007/