Top Stories

Local Petland taking steps to keep pets, customers safe

A local Petland owner who has not been linked to the bacteria investigation, invited channel 11 into his shop Wednesday to show us how he is keeping his puppies safe

When Eric Caplan, the owner of the East Liberty Petland, heard that bacteria in Petland puppies were getting people sick across the country and here in Allegheny County, he wanted to set the record straight.

He says each store operates differently. For him, he says his top priorities are bringing in rescues and also cleanliness.

He said the puppies didn't come from his store.

“It's disheartening that everybody lumps every Petland together. Just like everything else there's good and bad,” Caplan said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nearly 40 people in seven states were affected, but the agency has not identified individual stores.

Caplan said it's not a Petland issue. The bacteria, campylobacter, can develop anywhere.
 
In fact, the Allegheny County Health Department said it has more than 100 cases reported each year.

“I think we need to keep in mind there are 1.3 million cases of campy every year and 39 of those were traced back to Petland's stores across the country,” Caplan said.

Caplan said his big focus is giving his East Liberty community what it wants.

He says each cat and dog for sale comes from a rescue shelter.

“It's more about the rescue and about adopting homeless animals,” Caplan said.

He said the best way to keep the puppies healthy is proper cleaning, which is why his store sanitizes kennels each day, and encourages visitors to use hand sanitizer.

"It's personal hygiene. If you come in contact with animals, you have to wash your hands afterward," Caplan said. 
                                                                                        
Something health experts say is crucial to avoid any unwanted bacteria.

The Centers for Disease Control continues to investigate a link between Petland stores and the spread of a bacteria from animals to humans.