Dealing in Dogs

The day Maxie Biggz opened its Fingerlakes Mall store shortly before Thanksgiving, the local chapter of the SPCA was taking complaint calls.

The SPCA inspected the site and found no violations, but that has not made opponents of the pet store chain any happier. That's because the new store at the mall, billed as an upscale puppy shop, has brought with it a national debate.

Do pet store chains - and the brokers and breeders with whom they do business - mistreat animals in their quest for profits?