A Collier County puppy breeder is charged with passing a forged certificate of veterinary inspection.
41-year-old Francisco Tabares-Garcia of Golden Gate was arrested Tuesday after being served a warrant. The state attorney's office says the case is still under investigation.
A woman on the police report listed as Tabares-Garcia's wife hung up the phone when asked for comment. Tabares-Garcia remained in the Collier County Jail as of Wednesday afternoon.
The arrest serves as a reminder to make sure you use caution before using a breeder.
"We will see puppies or kittens, where somebody has just gotten it, either having vomiting, breathing, upper respiratory infections," said Mary Locicero of Animal Specialty Hospital in Naples.
She's seen many pets come in sick after being purchased from a breeder.
"The puppy breeders need to keep a medical log of when they were born, all the vaccines they have received, with the vaccine, brand, name, date."
Breeders have a good reputation for the most part, but future pet owners should do their homework before using one.
"They need to meet with a breeder, they need to go to the facility, the house, or the kennels, or wherever they are," said Locicero.
Florida has a "Lemon Law" for pets, meaning if you bought one from a breeder and it gets sick within a couple weeks you can get your money back as long as you have the right documentation.
