There is a major development as a result of the NBC 6 investigation "Puppy Heartbreak," which is now getting worldwide attention.

Wizard of Claws, which sells expensive puppies nationwide, said it has taken action to stop buying dogs from what experts say are puppy mills.

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Puppy Heartbreak Part I
Puppy Heartbreak Part II
Puppy Heartbreak Part III
Humane Society Sues Wizard Of Claws
Wizard Of Claws Reacts
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The man who runs Wizard of Claws is defending himself against a flood of allegations -- from unhappy customers, former employees who spoke to NBC 6 and even America's largest animal welfare group -- that too many of the dogs being sold at Wizard of Claws are sick or defective.

But Anderson claims less than 5 percent of his dogs have problems.

"What happens is, you sell a lot of dogs, you will have some illnesses. There are some outside genetic defects that you missed," Anderson said.

NBC 6 went undercover to two Midwestern breeders that supplied dogs to Wizard of Claws. Anderson now claims he's "shocked and astounded to learn of the conditions" and said he has many happy customers.

A letter from Wizard of Claws' attorney sent to NBC 6 states the pet store has "disassociated itself and no longer does business" with the two breeders. In addition, the letter states Anderson does "everything humanely possible to corroborate the attributes of the breeders" he uses. And he told NBC 6 that he plans to visit some of them.

Shannon Ford, who runs the Web site stopwizardofclaws.com, says she doesn't believe Anderson has done everything to find out about his suppliers and says dropping just two of them is not nearly enough.

"My reaction is I think it's all going to come out with time," Ford said. "I hope eventually the state is going to get enough complaints that they're going to have to do something."

If you have comments on this subject or would like to reach NBC 6's Jeff Burnside regarding this story, please e-mail pets@nbc6.net.

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Airdate: Feb. 10, 2006, 6 p.m.
Reporter: Jeff Burnside, Investigative: Producer Scott Zamost, Photographers: Pedro Cancio and Robert Hernandez