Lawsuit accuses Los Angeles animal rescue of running puppy laundering operation

24/7 LiveSan FranciscoEast BaySouth BayPeninsulaNorth Bay AnimalsLawsuit accuses Los Angeles animal rescue of running puppy laundering operationThursday, October 29, 2026 6:14PMThe City of Los Angeles is suing a celebrity-favorite dog rescue in Studio City accused of operating a puppy laundering scam.KABCLOS ANGELES -- The City of Los Angeles is suing a celebrity-favorite dog rescue accused of operating a puppy laundering scam.The lawsuit claims Wagmor Pets pretended to save animals while actually buying hundreds, and possibly thousands, from commercial dog breeders and puppy mills and then selling them to unsuspecting people as rescue pets."Consumers who believed they were giving rescued puppies loving homes were, instead, allegedly misled into financially supporting the very commercial dog breeding industry they sought to avoid," read a press release from City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto's office.Kim Sill, a board member for animal rescue Shelter Hope Pet Shop, says people have reached out to her over the years with complaints about the business.Top StoriesBay Area high tide flooding: Parts of Northern California deal with road closures, warnings as Coastal Flood Advisory extends2 hours agoValkyries look to clinch 1st WNBA title as they take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 against Dream2 hours agoSecret recordings detailing alleged deal played in corruption trial of ex-Oakland mayor Sheng Thao1 hour ago"In California, the legal limit for a rescue dog is $500 . She's been selling them way over $2,000 and cooking the books to make it look like it's going to different places and that's against the law," Sill said.The owner of Wagmor Pets denies any wrongdoing, calling the lawsuit a rehash of old claims that were previously litigated and dismissed.She took to social media to defend the business, saying "The allegations are not true, and we will prove it in court, just like last time."Report a correction or typoCopyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.Related Topics PETS & ANIMALS ANIMALS PET RESCUE U.S. & WORLD LAWSUITAnimalsA dinosaur fossil that looks like a mini T. rex just sold for a giant $47 millionPolice in New York wrangle runaway cow after wild chaseOakland family seeks justice after dog attack that killed beloved petCanada geese found at Alameda beach test positive for bird fluLive StreamsON NOWTop StoriesLIVE UPDATES: High tides continue to flood parts of Bay Area2 hours agoValkyries look to clinch 1st WNBA title in Game 6 against Dream2 hours agoSecret recordings detailing alleged deal played in Sheng Thao trial1 hour agoCalifornia High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri resigns10 minutes agoWhat caused the deadly train crash in Spain? What we know so farJudge denies federal request to segregate 20,000 ballots in CAArrest made in murder of San Pablo man found dead inside car: policeDoorDash offers $17B for Instacart in what would be a big merger for grocery delivery2 hours ago