In a significant victory for animal welfare and unsuspecting families, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge ruled against Craigslist puppy traffickers, the Kenney family, for animal neglect and fraud. The court’s decision, delivered after a week-long trial in 2022, prohibits the family from selling dogs and mandates substantial damages. These include $100,000 in punitive damages, compensation for veterinary expenses, and $10,000 for emotional distress to each family who purchased a sick puppy.
The ruling highlighted the “especially heinous” nature of the Kenneys’ scheme, emphasizing the immense suffering endured by the puppies and the subsequent emotional trauma inflicted upon innocent families. The court explicitly recognized the unique status of dogs as family members, distinguishing them from mere property under the law.
The legal action exposed the Kenney family’s long-standing pattern of animal neglect and consumer fraud in Southern California. They systematically misrepresented the health, age, breed, and sex of puppies sold via Craigslist and other online platforms. Evidence presented in court demonstrated that puppies were kept in deplorable, unsanitary conditions and were already sick when sold. The Kenneys were also found to have knowingly sold puppies carrying deadly diseases like Parvovirus, providing falsified vaccination records to unsuspecting buyers. Tragically, several puppies involved in the lawsuit, and others sold to families not part of the legal action, succumbed to these illnesses. The injunction against the Kenneys was partly based on California Corporations Code section 10404, which empowers SPCAs to pursue civil lawsuits against animal law violations.
Christopher Berry, Managing Attorney at the Animal Legal Defense Fund, stated, “This decision sends a clear message that sellers will be held accountable for animal neglect and fraud.” He further cautioned, “Unfortunately, this type of exploitive behavior is common, and families wishing to avoid it should adopt from a shelter or rescue organization.” This highlights the risk associated with obtaining pets from sources like Los Angeles Craigslist Pets listings where sellers may prioritize profit over animal welfare.
Gary Praglin, attorney for the plaintiffs from Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, emphasized the plaintiffs’ relief, stating, “The plaintiffs, who were harassed and intimidated by the defendants after spending weeks trying to save their sick and dying puppies, are grateful that justice has prevailed in this case and that the defendants can never again harm innocent puppies or families with their false advertising scheme.” Nine families who purchased sick and underage puppies from the Kenneys between 2018 and 2020 were represented in the lawsuit. It was also noted that Trina Kenney has a prior felony mail fraud conviction for selling abused and sick horses, indicating a history of fraudulent practices.
The devastating experiences of the victims underscore the emotional toll of these scams. Brittany and Brandon Swigart, newlyweds, responded to a Craigslist Los Angeles pets ad from the Kenneys in February 2019. They paid $1,200 for Winnie, a supposedly 8-week-old mini-labradoodle, excited to welcome her into their family. However, they soon discovered Winnie was only 4 weeks old, artificially colored, and unvaccinated. Winnie tragically died from a preventable disease weeks after arriving home, never weighing more than a pound, a direct consequence of the Kenneys’ deception and neglect.
Joe Cotchett, Gary Praglin, and Neda Lotfi from Cotchett Pitre & McCarthy LLP served as legal representatives for the victimized families in this impactful case against Los Angeles Craigslist pets sellers operating fraudulently. This case serves as a critical reminder to exercise extreme caution when considering purchasing pets online, especially from unverified sources on platforms like Craigslist. Adopting from reputable shelters or rescue organizations remains the safest and most ethical way to bring a pet into your home, ensuring you are not inadvertently supporting animal cruelty and fraud.
