VIDEO: Protest targets Puppies & Kittens owner

WAPPINGERS FALLS

Animal rights activists and customers who said they were sold sick and dying puppies protested outside American Breeders: Puppies & Kittens in Wappingers Falls Friday evening with a common goal — to shine a light on charges of animal cruelty brought against the store's owner.

Richard Doyle, 55, the owner of American Breeders: Puppies & Kittens in Wappingers Falls and chain locations in Mohegan Lake and Danbury, Connecticut, was charged last week with three misdemeanor counts after an investigation by state animal control officers from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

About 75 protesters gathered outside the Wappingers Falls store by 6:30 p.m. Drivers travelling north on Route 9 honked their horns to show support for the protesters, eliciting cheers from sign-wielding protesters lined up by the road.

Karen Conlon, organizer of the protest, said it was important to make a public stand against animal cruelty. Describing herself as an animal rights advocate, Conlon said she would continue efforts against the pet store through a petition.

"The protest is really just the beginning," Conlon said.

American Breeders employees declined to comment on the protest, locking the door to Journal staffers as they approached the store.

For some protesters, the cause was more personal. Kelly Ankru, of Highland, said she purchased a 3-month-old Cocker Spaniel puppy, named Nacho, from the store in July, only for the puppy to die three days later.

"The next day he was very sick and started puking, so I rushed him to the vet," Ankru said. "Animal cruelty is as bad as child abuse in my eyes."

Juston Baker, 35, of Poughkeepsie, said he brought his dogs, two American Bullies, out to the protest to prove a point — there's no such thing as a bad dog.

"He's my best friend," Baker said. "What kind of person hurts a defenseless animal?"

Ralph Packard, a protester from Wappingers Falls, said it is absolutely necessary to stand against animal cruelty.

"We're out here today to close people like (Doyle) down," Packard said.

Police were at the scene of the protest, making sure protesters did not block the roads or parking at the Dutchess Shopping Plaza.

A second protest is scheduled for noon on Saturday at 1582 Route 9.

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: @PoJoGeoffWilson