Man Arrested for Illegally Selling Labs in RI

A 30-year-old Fall River, MA, man is facing charges for illegally importing and selling Labrador retrievers in Rhode Island through a Facebook page.

Justin J. Wagner was arrested Wednesday by officers with the state Department of Environmental Management’s Law Enforcement Division who set up an undercover purchase of one of the puppies.

At the time of his arrest, Wagner was found to be in possession of seven nine-week old puppies that were dehydrated and infested with both tape and roundworm and one showed signs of canine distemper.

”Protecting consumers and ensuring the health and safety of animals in Rhode Island are responsibilities we take very seriously,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “As in this case, our goal is always to respond swiftly when we are notified of an illegal operation, remove the animals, and bring the people responsible for that operation to justice. Also critical is educating the public about the law, illegal operators, and the risks associated with acquiring an animal from an unlicensed dealer so we can keep consumers, their families, and other pets safe.”

Wagner allegedly sold the puppies through a “Loyal for Labs” Facebook page, which was still active as of Wednesday afternoon.

All of the seized animals were turned over to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an organization that was instrumental in leading to Wagner’s arrest. The RISPCA first notified the DEM of Wagner’s illegal business with a tip that puppies were for sale on the Facebook page.

The dogs are believed to have originated from Pennsylvania, a state known for puppy mill operations, the DEM said in a news release.

According to the DEM, Loyal Labs sold several other puppies prior to February 3, 2016 – which may have been exposed to the seized puppies. If you purchased one of these puppies, please contact your veterinarian to have your pet examined immediately.

Wagner is currently on probation for animal cruelty charges in Barnstable, Massachusetts and is associated with Beauty in the Beast K9 Services in Fall River, Massachusetts. Beauty in the Beast was issued a Cease and Desist Order on July 31, 2015 by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources for operating without a license.

The public is reminded to verify animal brokers are properly licensed and have complete health records for all animals before adopting, rescuing, or purchasing an animal in their care; this is important to ensure the animal is free of contagious or deadly disease that may pose a risk to people and/or other pets.