The Petland Inc. pet store chain has been accused of knowingly selling sick puppies to customers.

According to a lawsuit against the Ohio-based company, customers were told that puppies sold in the store came from reputable breeders and that the dogs were healthy.

However, many of the dogs sold by Petland stores were bred in puppy mills and subjected to “filthy living conditions” in urine-soaked cages and were given little care and socialization.

Petland said the allegations against them were false, and that they do everything possible to ensure they provide healthy puppies to their customers.

The plaintiffs in the case, The Humane Society of the United States, hope to cease unfair and deceptive sales practices and are seeking changes to how puppies are bred.

Source: Associated Press