Residents urge Greene County to investigate Tiny Paws pet store after repeated sick-puppy complaints
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Summary
Two residents told the Greene County Board of Supervisors they and others reported buying sick puppies from Tiny Paws Pet Store in Ruckersville; speakers asked the board to pursue license revocation and to coordinate with state veterinary and consumer-protection agencies.
Several residents used the public-comment period to urge Greene County officials to act on complaints about a local pet store, saying they bought sick puppies and were later ignored by the seller.
"I purchased a puppy in May 2024," said Elizabeth DeWaspadelli, a resident who addressed the board. She described a puppy that was persistently ill after purchase, required repeated veterinary care, and was ultimately diagnosed with a hereditary condition that will shorten the animal's life. "For six months I contacted Tiny Paws only to be completely ignored after providing all required documentation," she told the board, and said the combined purchase and medical bills approached $10,000. She asked officials to review the store's county operating license and "do the right thing by revoking their operation license." (Ms. DeWaspadelli offered to provide documentation to county staff.)
Corey Waters, who followed, said he has heard similar reports from multiple residents and urged the board to consider a local ban on pet-store sales tied to the puppy-mill supply chain. Waters pointed to investigations and lawsuits elsewhere documenting poor conditions at some suppliers and urged Greene County to follow the example of other localities that have restricted retail sales of commercially bred dogs.
Board members responded by noting regulatory authority lies primarily with state agencies. A supervisor said the state veterinarian and the Virginia Department of Agriculture generally hold permitting and enforcement authority for breeders and retail pet operations; the county suggested staff would begin researching regulatory options and local ordinance pathways and would report back on possible actions the county could take in addition to referring complaints to state regulators.
No enforcement action or license revocation occurred at the meeting; board members asked staff to collect complaint documentation, explore available local ordinances, and consult with state veterinary authorities.