New York police have uncovered a shocking case of illegal puppy sales run by a Taiwanese couple, with prices ranging from RM277,000 to RM416,000, and their “prized” miniature white poodle selling for an astonishing RM528,000. According to reports, media posing as buyers visited the couple, who proudly claimed to have sold over 600 dogs so far, with another 30 still in Taiwan.
The couple, surnamed Tsai, operated out of a private home in Queens, despite New York laws prohibiting pet stores from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits. Their inventory included rare hybrid breeds, such as the Pomchi (Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix) at RM217,000, Maltipom (Maltese-Pomeranian) at RM245,000, and teacup Pomapoo (Pomeranian-Poodle) at RM266,000. The top-tier miniature white poodle, weighing just 1 kilogram, was labeled their “prized dog” and priced at RM528,000.
During the undercover visit, journalists noted the house displayed luxury items including six LV and Hermès bags, alongside photos of the couple with their dogs. Jenny Tsai boasted of the dogs’ backyard, saying the barking could be heard from the street, and emphasized the rarity of their breeding practices, with each dog born via cesarean section and producing only one pup per litter.
The couple insisted they were not running a commercial pet shop. Jenny Tsai claimed the dogs were raised at home, that she had been breeding them for over ten generations, and that they held a USDA license with regular veterinary checkups. She also highlighted activities such as dog yoga and therapy sessions as part of their “positive social contribution.”
The case sparked outrage online, with users criticizing the high prices and questioning the ethics of the operation. Comments ranged from “They should be jailed and forced to donate all profits to animal shelters” to “Dogs are not accessories” and “Adopt, don’t buy.”
New York’s Puppy Mill Pipeline Act bans all pet shops from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits, requiring prospective owners to adopt from shelters or licensed breeders. Despite enforcement, illegal sales persist, with previous cases such as Vanity Pups in Bayside, Queens, selling Labrador puppies for $1,800 (approx. RM7,900) after the law was enacted.
