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Long Island Dog Rescue Accused Of Selling Sick Dogs Fights To Remain Open

CALVERTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Calverton no-kill dog rescue operation that is under investigation by the state attorney's office is fighting to stay open in an attempt to stop dozens of dogs from being euthanized.

If Precious Pups is shut down, then about 50 dogs a week that it gets from kill shelters will die, warned the organization's attorney Alan Sash.

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said complaints came in that Precious Pups adopted out sick dogs that they claimed were healthy.

Long Island Dog Rescue Accused Of Selling Sick Dogs Fights To Remain Open

"The representations they made about the health of the dogs, that they received veterinary treatment were all false," said Schneiderman. "We subpoenaed them, they refused to comply with the subpoena."

The rescue is also accused of taking van loads of dogs from kill shelters nationwide, then adopting them out for $300 to $600 — much more than the typical rescue fee, CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff reported last week.

"This is just a money making operation," said animal advocate Lisa Ludwig. "This is not how a rescue works."

The attorney general said his investigation is underway to determine if fraud occurred and if conditions at the rescue endanger animals.

A restraining order issued last week prohibits Precious Pups from selling, adopting out or fostering any dogs until it complies with the attorney general's demands for documents and records.

Sash told Newsday the group has since turned over all the documents and records the state wanted.

Precious Pups denies that it has allowed sick dogs to be adopted.

Sash told Newsday that Precious Pups is willing to do whatever is necessary to remain open.

Both sides will be in court Wednesday.

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