AUSTIN — Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into Lone Star Pups, LLC for allegedly misleading Texas consumers about the origin and veterinary care of the puppies it sells, according to a release from the Office of the Attorney General.
According to the release, Lone Star Pups is based in Caldwell, Texas, and operates an online business selling doodle and designer dog breeds. The company markets itself as working exclusively with reputable breeders, but the release states that records indicate the puppies’ pre-purchase veterinary exams are being conducted in Holmes County, Ohio, a region the office describes as widely known for large-scale, and in some cases unethical, commercial dog breeding operations. The release also states that buyers who ask for specific breeder information are frequently denied.
The release states that Lone Star Pups advertises that 99 percent of its breeding dogs are OFA certified, a designation reserved for animals that have passed a full slate of health screenings. However, according to the office, an undercover investigation found the company completes only two of the four tests required by the OFA to earn that certification.
The investigation will also examine the company’s “10 Year Health Guarantee,” which Lone Star Pups markets as a warranty backing the health of every puppy it sells. According to the release, the fine print limits coverage for major hereditary conditions, including cancer, pancreatitis, autoimmune disease, diabetes, intestinal disease, and seizures, to just three years from the puppy’s date of birth, and requires consumers to maintain ongoing pet insurance to remain eligible. The release states the word “guarantee” appears at least nine times on the company’s homepage, which the office says is designed to create a false sense of security for buyers.
Paxton, in a statement included in the release, said purchasing a new puppy is an exciting moment for many Texas families, and that excitement should never be exploited by companies hiding the truth behind false promises and fine print. He said Texans deserve honest information about their pets, the veterinary care those pets receive, and the promises a company is actually willing to honor, adding that his office will hold accountable any business that deceives Texas consumers.
According to the release, Paxton is investigating whether Lone Star Pups violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. As part of the investigation, the Office of the Attorney General has issued a Civil Investigative Demand to the company seeking documents and information related to its business practices. The allegations outlined in the release remain unproven at this stage of the investigation.
