Petco settles neglect & overcharge cases

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, June 2004:

SAN DIEGO–The 655-store Petco Animal Supplies Inc. chain on
May 27, 2004 agreed to pay $661,754 in fines and investigative costs
for allegedly neglecting animal care and overcharging customers.
“The company also will spend $202,500 to install better
equipment in its California stores to eliminate overcharging,”
reported San Diego Union-Tribune staff writer Mike Freeman of the
settlement reached with district attorneys in San Diego, Los
Angeles, Marin, and San Mateo counties. Petco also agreed to pay
$50,000, formally train staff in animal care, and allow inspection
by independent veterinarians to settle a separate case brought by the
city of San Francisco.
A PETA boycott of Petco will continue, said spokesperson
Christy Griffin, until Petco quits selling birds, reptiles, fish,
and small mammals. Petco, like larger rival PETsMART, does not
sell dogs and cats.