Lawsuit Claims The Pet Warehouse Sold Sick Puppy and Defamed Buyer After He Requested Answers
According to the complaint filed in Onslow County Superior Court, Jackson purchased a four-month-old French Bulldog, who he later named Blu, from the store on Oct. 18, 2025. He alleges the dog was actively infected with hookworms at the time of sale despite assurances from store employees that the puppy was healthy, fully dewormed, and properly vetted.
Jackson claims the store failed to provide the veterinary certifications, updated fecal testing and medical documentation required under the North Carolina Animal Welfare Act at the time of sale. The lawsuit references a prior citation issued to The Pet Warehouse by the N.C. Department of Agriculture for improper veterinary record-keeping.
Three days after the sale, Jackson took Blu to Banfield Pet Hospital, where a fecal exam reportedly confirmed a hookworm infection. The lawsuit states that when Jackson contacted the store, management offered either a $140 reimbursement or the return of the puppy, but refused to address broader health and legal concerns.
Jackson alleges that when he went to the store to discuss the matter, Wyman became combative while speaking with him, called law enforcement, and later posted online that Jackson had attempted to “extort” the business.
The complaint argues these statements were false, defamatory, and harmful to Jackson’s reputation as a Journalist.
Jackson’s Suit Brings Five Claims:
- Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices
- Fraud
- Breach of Express Warranty
- Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability
- Defamation
- , and Injunctive/Declaratory Relief
It seeks compensatory damages, treble damages under N.C. Gen. Stat. §75-16, attorneys’ fees and a court order ceasing operations at the business until it comes into compliance with state animal-welfare regulations.
Jackson also asks the court to declare The Pet Warehouse’s “store-credit only” warranty unenforceable under state law.
READ THE LAWSUIT BELOW:
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Open in new tab State enforcement records show The Pet Warehouse was formally investigated and penalized by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services following a complaint directly involving the French bulldog at the center of Jackson’s lawsuit.
According to a Dec. 4, 2025, enforcement notice issued by the department’s Animal Welfare Section, owner Cheryl Lynn Wyman was assessed a $400 civil penalty for violations of state animal-care and record-keeping regulations.
The Department of Agriculture said it received a formal complaint on Oct. 23, 2025, alleging that the pet shop sold a puppy infected with hookworms and failed to provide complete veterinary documentation. An on-site inspection was conducted Oct. 28, 2025, during which inspectors reviewed the medical records for the puppy later named Blu.
Investigators found that The Pet Warehouse failed to properly document the administration of a deworming medication allegedly given on Sept. 2, 2025, and additional doses that were required to be administered on Sept. 6, 7, 8 and 9. The inspection report states that required treatment records for those dates were missing or incomplete.
The inspection also found that medication was recorded as having been administered to the puppy on Oct. 3, 2025, even though no medication was actually prescribed for that date. According to the state report, the pet shop owner told investigators that staff may have mistakenly entered the information into the wrong animal’s record.
In addition, the Department of Agriculture determined the pet shop failed to provide adequate veterinary care in a timely manner after parasites were observed in the puppy’s feces on Sept. 29, Oct. 2 and Oct. 3. The report states that despite those repeated observations, no veterinary treatment was provided by the store for the condition during that period.
State officials concluded the violations constituted failures to maintain accurate veterinary records and to ensure timely medical care as required by North Carolina administrative code.
The agency warned that continued or future violations could result in additional civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation and possible suspension or revocation of the store’s operating license.
The department’s findings stem from the same puppy and transaction described in Jackson’s civil lawsuit filed in Onslow County Superior Court.
1 thought on “North Carolina Blogger Files Lawsuit Against The Pet Warehouse, Alleging Fraud, Defamation and Illegal Animal Sale Practices”
The cats and rats here are always sickly, though I’m not sure about the other animals. I thought that everyone knew this wasn’t a trustworthy pet store already, to be honest. I don’t hear good things about it. I think this is just the first time someone has sued. The company is outright lying 🙄