Print the value of index0
Acura Cockapoos Dee Van Laan, Debra, Debbie, Deb Breeder sold me sick pup with damaged knees and other issues Irmo, South Carolina
I bought a puppy from her a few years ago and he was so sick when I got him with kennel cough, giardia and luxating patella's. We spend over 900.00 just to get him well. And then another $4,500.00 on knee surgery (total both knees) once he was older (a little over a year) and finished growing. By then he could barely walk, it was horrible.
When i contacted her after getting him she first did not answer my calls or emails. When she did she said she had been on vacation to paris or some place like that. But she said I was a liar and told me to F- off. Literally! And then when I contacted her about the surgery she said pretty much the same thing. After that she started sending random emails about jesus and how I should be "saved".
There is something not right with this woman. I have since talked with several others who had issues with dogs they got from her and even a couple of breeders she told she wasn't a breeder to get poodles and cockers from them.
I sent a friend I met online out to her place and she told me all the dogs are crammed into small kennels that have tarps over them. She said there was mud all over the dogs and they were many matted dogs. She keeps her puppies out in the kennels with the parents. She even had one of her females kill another females puppies (stupid woman told me this herself).
She lies all the time, I had a BAD feeling when I bought my pup but she refused to give back my deposit even though it had only been 2 weeks. She gives no guarantee's other then the puppy lemon law which is 6 months so I was screwed When I found out he needed surgery on his knees.
He also had a really mean streak and would bite my grand children. We took him to a trainer and behaviorist. With much work he did get better. this puppy was NOT socialized and that was confirmed by the trainer, behaviorist, and vet as well as the temperament test that was done on him.
He is still with us but he is a very timid dog, has been since day one! It is very sad to see this woman is still breeding. I have encouraged others I have talked with to come forward and report her. I know of one lady she sold a pup too and he was really mean and would attack the family. The dog never got better even with work. they gave the dog back and she "adopted" it out for more $$.
I have done much research on this greeder and she has a pretty scary past. Stay away from her please. If you cannot go and see the place yourself and meet the breeder in person, then go elsewhere. there are many good breeders out there. I have since gotten 2 more from another breeder locally and wow it was a totally different experience.
Yes I could have returned the pup, at my expense and I would not have gotten my money back, which I really do not care about at this point. But I was not going to send this poor pup back to her. And also he was sick and could not legally be flown back to her.
Also, when you ask to see the parents OFA and CERF information she stalled, giving me the run around and saying she would fax it, then said she would mail it, and I NEVER got to see the results. I did some checking and she hasn't done testing on her breeders in many years. She is constantly getting rid of breeding dogs and buying more.
I have reported her to the BBB (joke there) and to animal control in her city. When I checked back they said they found problems and was told she had to correct them. So I guess she put some cement in the "kennels" and some covers over the runs she has them crammed in.
This "woman" also will not allow you to visit the puppies to pick one out. She claims her vet said it is dangerous and you could bring in stuff to her puppies. Well I talked to her vet and he said he NEVER told her that and that Dee and her family can just as easily bring parvo and stuff in to the pups.
This is a ploy some kennels use to keep you from seeing where the pups are really kept and how they care for them. Do NOT buy from anyone who will not allow you to meet the parents and the puppies. You can see the puppies without touching them.
Also, I know for a fact she had parvo run through her kennel and she lost a bunch of puppies. Parvo is impossible to get rid of from your property. She can deny all this all she wants but Many of us know the truth about her. You decide who to believe.
On her web site she warns people that people are making up stories about her...
She says
"Ripoff report was set up to be a site that is beneficial to consumers, but it is much more than that as you know. It is set up to also extort money from companies. Ripoff Report (ROR) takes anonymous complaints with no regard
to the truth, if the complaint is slander or harassment and post them on the internet. If you see a report such as this on the internet about Acura Cockapoos, please contact me! My dogs are very precious, well taken care of! I have my vet, my groomers as well as those who have come here who can attest to the wonderful love & care provided to
each and every adult and puppy!"
PS: She grooms her dogs herself, she shaves them down after they mat.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Jade
Nevada,USA
KNOW way to much about Debbie
#8General Comment
Thu, August 24, 2017
I can tell you all my nightmare with Debbie, It had to do back i'd say 12 years ago or so - maybe LONGER - But i purchased a cocker puppy from her and then flew to her home got the puppy flew back home - within a few days across the internet she had posted the puppy was stolen, and to repo the dog - The dog was paid for (she misplaced my check) - and it escalated to her harassing me and actually contacting Judge Judy about this which Dee decided to NOT face her the day before we were going to L.A. to be live. So my advice to ANYONE who wants to look at getting a puppy - NOW that she runs a puppy mill -- REALLY think about where you're getting your puppy from, READ the reviews and REALLY understand that this is maybe NOT the breeder you'd want to get a puppy from.. Not saying Dont -- but know what you're getting involved in and who you're going to bed with per say.
Good luck to everyone.. I've SEEN the health issues!!!!
Alaska
United States of AmericaAcura Cockapoos is great!
#8Consumer Comment
Thu, January 10, 2013
Last spring I made the choice to adopt a cockapoo puppy. I found Acura Cockapoos, but was wary because of this negative report. In the end, I still chose to go through with the adoption. I live in Alaska, and Dee did everything she could to make this a simple process for me. When I received my puppy he was absolutely adorable and not shy in the least.
However, I did quickly discover that he had lice and after my initial vet appointment we found out that he also had giardia. I was very displeased about all of this and contacted Dee about it. Living in Alaska, I am very used to places saying, 'too bad, you are in Alaska, I am in the lower forty-eight, deal with it yourself' but Dee didn't say that. She paid for TWO treatments for the lice, even though the medication cost a lot more up here in Alaska than it did for her. Luckily dog lice wasn't as big of a deal as human lice, if it got off the dog it would die, and the giardia was easily treated with about a weeks worth of medication.
It was dissapointing that my puppy had both of these things, but Dee did everything she could to help me. And the giardia was very hard to even catch, the vet only caught it because Dee requires the fecal exam at the first vet visit.
So after reading this, you may still be worried, but I really don't believe you have reason to be. If I ever get a Cockapoo again, Acura Cockapoos will be the first place I check. My puppy was wonderfully socialized, he loves everybody! He doesn't shed and he has been VERY easy to train. He is now nine months old and completely healthy as can be.
Dee chose to take care of me and my puppy even though we live in Alaska. To me, that says a lot.
youknowmefrombefore
Manassas,Virginia,
United States of America
repeat and happy customer
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, May 19, 2012
I personally own two dogs from Acura Cockapoos. Both dogs have outstanding temperaments, are highly trainable, and are perfectly healthy. They were obviously well socialized as puppies because they are friendly and outgoing towards people and other animals. I have absolutely no complaint with Acura Cockapoos.
Allison
PORT JERVIS,New York,
U.S.A.
Acura Cockapoos is a slouch operation!!!
#8General Comment
Wed, January 11, 2012
You have no idea how much heartache this woman is capable of. I was a breeder at one time and was downsizing and she represented herself as a very small operation with only a few select dogs. She then told me she would have my dogs with her forever and once they were with her that is where they would remain for life. Not so!!! One by one over the course of time but only after she had used them for her business she got rid of them all. She turns over her dogs as if they were stock on a supermarket shelf. I have had many a words with her. The dog she claims killed the puppy is an outright lie that story was told so that she had an excuse to euthanize the dog because she did not like its personality and that was to justify her wrong doings. She need to stop preaching about God because she is a very evil woman and when I met her in person to bring her my dogs she would not allow me to come to the kennel but instead met me half way saying that was fair to both of us. When she showed up she smelt like a drunk and behaved as if she has a drinking problem. Total garbage is what she is!!!! Buyer beware because I was only hoping that by this time she would have been long gone and out of business but I guess not.
SarahB
Disney,Florida,
United States of America
Awesome Breeder & Place
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, December 12, 2011
I read this report with disbelief! How could someone stay in business with this kind of attitude! So wanting a cockpoo puppy and living in South Carolina I felt I owed Acura Cockapoos the benefit of the doubt and decided to meet Dee and see this for myself.
What I found out was nothing like the complaint above! When I emailed I got a nice response back with references from her vet and a couple of past buyers (who I did contact and was very happy with their reviews!...her vet DID tell her that it was best to limit the number of visitors to baby puppies!).
We set up a time / day and I drove there fully expecting to see the horrors of the complaint!
What I saw was marvelous! Dee was very nice, knowledgeable and informative. She answered all my questions with honesty. Her dogs were all groomed, the kennels all super clean, nice covered runs with septic tanks for easy cleaning, igloos, hammocky bed for them to lounge on, toys. I was duly impressed. The dogs all were social and I loved playing
with them in the middle of her yard!
No, I didnt get to go into the puppy room. Sad..but I truly understood after discussing the parvo experience with her vet and I appreciate Dees trying to keep the puppies safe and healthy until they goes home!
This complainer seems to know a lot about Dee without ever visiting her or her home. How does she know the dogs mat and she shaves them down as shes never been there? How would she send out someone to her propertyjust find someone on lineto do this and spy?
So, when I left I stopped at the groomer across the street since Dee says they groom all her dogs. Again, I got rave reviews! She only breeds her girls three times, spays them and finds them good homes. The groomer there has helped her place her dogs and the families that have them are happy with their new dog!
I have to say the complainer has a dog that has too many problems in one litte girl! Training is key to an 8 week old puppy and this person did no training if they allowed a puppy to nip or bite their grandchildren.
Just like kids, puppies need rules and training from their new owners to be good pets. My research has showed that 8 week old puppies are social on their own, its in their make up. Its what happens AFTER they go home that molds their temperaments and personalities. Dees vet assured me that all the puppies he has seen are social, happy, inquisitive creatures. If this pup did indeed have behavior issues then there was a guarantee in place to address it so why didnt they? Instead of shipping it back Dee would have been bound to the guarantee since it was within the six months!
Dee does breed cockers and poodles, buys them, too. I guess thats the nature of the business. If a girl placed in a good loving home, she has to have a girl to replace her to keep her business going.
Also.know, too. If the dog had luxating patellas, they dont put them in a cast after surgery. This is a bogus picture.
I know it sounds like Im her best friend but I wanted you readers to know I, too, did my homework/research and what I found was that this complainer is full of bologna. Do your research on a breeder, I do agree! But dont count this complaint as the gospel.
I am very skeptical of this complaint. Sounds like someone with a grudge!!! A big one! Maybe a competitor? Maybe someone jealous of how well she does with her business and her animals?
Yes, I did place a deposit and I would recommend anyone visit, get references and buy their puppy from her!
Here They Are
Queensland,Internet,
Australia
Awful
#8Consumer Comment
Tue, August 23, 2011
How awful and disgusting to treat animals so inhumanely like that.
Question: What other tyoes of action do you intend to pursue?
Lyn
California,United States of America
One of her moms has cherry eye she just bred
#8Author of original report
Mon, July 18, 2011
This is a little update to my complaint. I just wanted you all to see that she breeds dogs with known issues that are hereditary. Here is a picture of a female she has recently bred that has cherry eye in both eyes. I have blown it up for you