Weekend of Protests at Controversial ‘Puppies and Kittens’ Store

A local pet store whose owner has been charged with several counts of animal cruelty was the site of two well attended protests this weekend.

Hudson Valley resident, Karen Conlon, heard about the arrest of Richard F. Doyle and decided to organize two protests in front of the Puppies and Kittens store at the Dutchess Shopping Plaza in Wappingers Falls. HVNN spoke with Conlon who says that after hearing about the charges against Doyle it was time for someone to do something.

Doyle, who owns the pet store in Wappingers as well as two other locations in Danbury and Mohegan Lake, is alleged to have allowed three animals to be mistreated at the Danbury location. Ten dogs from the Wappingers location of Puppies and Kittens were seized by officials back in 2011, leading to another arrest for Doyle.

Kelly Wonderly, a local animal lover from Beacon, joined in the demonstration on Friday and says the peaceful protest was attended by approximately 75 people. According to Wonderly the owner of Puppies and Kittens was also in attendance, and kept "walking out and yelling" at the protesters.

Two Village of Wappingers police officers were on hand during the protest which lasted from 5:30 to 8pm on Friday, making sure there was no trouble. Reports indicate that the demonstration was peaceful. While protesters lined route 9 in front of the shopping plaza, cars passed by honking and showing support, and making the crowd happy to know that their message was being received.