Underage puppies sold at Crossroads Carmel rescued by SPCA

The SPCA for Monterey County rescued several underage puppies that were sold at Crossroads Carmel within the past few days. The puppies are five-week old pit bull mixes.

It is illegal to sell puppies under eight weeks of age in California, unless there’s special permission.

According to the SPCA, the owner of the puppies is a transient in his late 20s. The SPCA said the man is often seen at Crossroads Carmel.

“He said that he was unable to care for the animals,” SPCA Humane Officer Stacy McGrady said. “That’s why he was trying to sell them, not taking into account that it’s a misdemeanor and totally inappropriate to separate these puppies from their mother at such a young age.”

Three of the puppies are now at the SPCA. Humane officers are now trying to track down the other puppies to make sure they’re in good hands.

“I want to make sure that the other puppies are healthy and they’re okay,” McGrady said. “We’re not trying to take them away from anyone who may have purchased them to do the right thing.”