LEGAL NEWSLINE

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Friday that two individuals who allegedly illegally resold or flipped puppies to unsuspecting consumers were permanently banned from selling animals or becoming licensed pet dealers.

In one case, Schneiderman's office reached an agreement with Carissa Seaman, a woman who allegedly bought or obtained animals for free before reselling the dogs to other consumers for more money than she paid for them. In the other case, Schneiderman's office obtained a court order against Stephanie Acara, who allegedly bought puppies on Craigslist, failed to properly care for the animals and sold them to consumers at a markup.

Both Seaman and Acara allegedly violated state law by failing to provide consumers with records of the veterinary care the puppies received or any records of the puppies' breeder, offering to sell puppies that were less than eight weeks of age, failing to obtain veterinary examinations for the puppies and failing to advise consumers of their right to return sick puppies.

"Today's developments are a win-win," Schneiderman said. "By shutting down operations where animals are being illegally sold, we can help ensure that consumers are purchasing healthy pets, while protecting the animals themselves from those who break the law to turn a profit. In holding these individuals accountable, we are sending the message that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated."

Under the terms of a voluntary settlement agreement, Seaman is permanently banned from becoming a pet dealer or selling animals.

As part of a court order, Acara is also permanently banned from becoming a pet dealer or selling animals. She is also required to pay $1,000 in restitution to an individual who bought a puppy that died shortly after Acara sold it.