RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CN) - The Perfect Puppy says an animal rescue group that holds weekly protests outside its doors is actually a competitor trying to drive it out of business. Perfect Puppy demands $2 million in damages and an injunction to stop the "malicious protesting" organized by Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue and Adoption Center.
In its complaint in Suffolk County Court, Perfect Puppy claims that Save-A-Pet has been organizing protests almost every weekend. It claims the defendant "willfully and maliciously harassed potential customers and shouted hostile and incendiary threats to those attempting to enter the premises."
But Perfect Puppy says Save-A-Pet "is a competitor of plaintiff, providing puppies in return for donations and 'adoption fees,' and the malicious purpose of defendant was to remove plaintiff as a competitor."
It claims that after Save-A-Pet interferes with Perfect Puppy's business, its members steer customers to its own store, on occasion personally bringing them there.
"If the intentionally wrongful and malicious protests of defendant, its officers, agents, servants and/or employees or those acting at its behest, are not permanently stopped, plaintiff will be effectively put out of business," Perfect Puppy says.
It seeks damages for malicious trespass and other charges. It is represented by David Siegel, of Stony Brook.
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