Puppies, Pirates, Thieves and Scoundrels

April 4, 2024

Not wanting to impede an official criminal investigation, I have waited to submit this blog.  Since this occurred in the summer of 2023, testimonies have been recorded, evidence has been filed, and a court date has been set.  Since writing this, names of the perpetrator and businesses have changed again. We’re looking forward to closure, and we are embracing the challenges of daily life and the joy of family, friends, and our animals.  Life goes on and we are stronger.

My Scammy Summer of 2023

People always ask me “How do you let the puppies go?  Aren’t you so attached to them?”  My response is always the same:  The puppies are never really mine.  I raise them to enrich the lives of others, and in so doing, I’m enriched as well.  And in this business that has been so fun, I have met some of the most genuine, caring, and loving people.  My relationships with our pups doesn’t end when they go home.  Many owners have stayed in touch and I have new friendships.

The breeding and placing of puppies has been on our bucket list for some time.  Our experiences have been sometimes heartbreaking (so difficult to experience a stillborn pup), exhausting (caring for moms and pups is all consuming and 24/7), but mostly joyful.  It has challenged us.  And now, it has changed us.

I understand the breeding business.  At the moment it’s very competitive.  It is the minority of breeders who thoroughly health test their dogs (genetic testing, OFA certifications for eyes, heart, hips, elbows, patella), fulfilling the requirements for that breed of dog.  If a dog is being bred, these tests are necessary and non negotiable to be a reputable breeder. The results should be public on the OFA website.  Reputable breeders also make their genetic tests public.  Dogs’ pedigrees are important.  Registration with AKC makes a purebred dog far more valuable.   And, when purchasing a dog or puppy, the business depends on trust and being trustworthy.

We trusted another person in Hickory North Carolina who presented documentation of health testing, pedigrees and photos of dogs that were potentially great breeding dogs.  They had it all. . . beautiful, excellent hips, CAER certifications (companion animal eye registry), pedigrees that I recognized and were impressive.  I wanted these dogs that were being marketed as pedigreed, proven, impressive breeding dogs.  I spoke to the breeder for a week asking pointed questions.  I trusted this breeder who after several days, I felt was a friend.

She had great advice and input on breeding dogs

She knew the pedigrees and we talked and texted for days.  I even thanked her for her wealth of information on breeding. I bought the dogs.  I was starstruck by “Panda” a two year old Cream Golden, and “Ashton” an 18 month old Cream Golden with OFA preliminaries that showed excellent hips.  I bought both dogs for a total of $12,000.  It was more than I have paid for dogs, but less than one might pay for proven mature breeding stock.  As is protocol, I paid in full before the dogs were to be picked up.  The check cleared.  But as soon as it cleared, the animal transporter I hired was not allowed to come onto her property.  Why?  The dogs were not owned by this person.  I trusted, and followed my emotions and have lost a great deal of money.

I was scammed. I feel ashamed, dumb, and duped

How could I have done that?  I didn’t share any of this experience with close family or friends because I feel ashamed of my stupidity.  (I think they probably know now).  And I’ve questioned myself over and over wondering how could I have made such an expensive mistake?  How could I have been scammed for so much money?  As my wise sister once said, “Buying a puppy is ALWAYS an emotional decision.”  She is right.  That’s one of the reasons I love about our breeding business – I witness the joy on “Gotcha Day.”  I celebrate with my puppy buyers.  We’ve had champagne for newlyweds who celebrate a “Gotcha Day” with profound meaning.  But my emotions and love for these nonexistent dogs from the person in North Carolina were more powerful than my gut instincts.

After a few phone calls to the North Carolina police department and through public records and information from friends in New York, California, Texas, Montana, Pennsylvania, and other states, this woman who calls herself Layla or Lea, Ashley, Cody, Lexi, Harold Winkler – Jay,  Amandera, Cassie, (facebook profile – they may all be the same person with other family members involved) has been scamming and robbing puppy buyers and breeders since 2011.

She is very good at what she does.  She seems trustworthy.  She’s knowledgeable.  She invests her time in “helping” you become educated about nutrition, supplements, whelping, veterinary care and the best dog products.  She tells you to be cautious of scammers and shares her own stories of being scammed.   And then she tells you she has cancer and she must sell everything.

She is in “good standing” with AKC which is one of her first opening lines, and AKC (American Kennel Club) has allowed her to advertise in their Marketplace.

Her business facades are the first that show up when you search for Golden Retrievers in North Carolina.  She preys on other breeders who also advertise on AKC Marketplace.  She is a talented con-artist.  We refer to her as the “Ted Bundy of Puppy Scammers.”  She is a serial scammer who seems very trustworthy. . . until she has your money.  And then she becomes vicious, profane, and even threatens violence.  She threatens, and she uses her fists if she is confronted in person by those trying to retrieve their money. (Videos of violent encounters have surfaced on the internet).

We’ve been challenged and now we are changed.  As a school teacher, mom, and grandma, I admit, I am somewhat naïve.  I have lost that innocence.  I am more suspicious and guarded and feel something that I don’t think I have ever felt toward anyone: seething hatred.  But when I reread every text, tediously taking screenshots for evidence, I realize now what was happening over the course of days talking to the woman (who referred to herself as “Layla”).  I was being “groomed” as her next victim.  “Grooming” is the process during which a sex offender draws a child in by gaining his or her trust in order to sexually abuse the child and maintain secrecy.  I wasn’t sexually abused, but the analogy is powerful. And the process was the same. The embarrassment and shame of being scammed makes you want to hide your mistake, making it possible for her to do it all again with another person, even a careful person like me.

Talking with other breeders who have also been viciously abused and robbed by this person, I realize I am not alone, and have been told, “Don’t be so hard on yourself.  She’s scammed hundreds.”  And I have seen the evidence.  Honestly, I am afraid.  We are installing better cameras.  She said her son would come to our home “packing.”  I’m looking over my shoulder.  She has threatened our business if we complain or seek justice.  She even tried to extort more money from us claiming that she is holding the dogs for us and that we have to pay for their care and board. She has already attacked us on our Facebook business page with slanderous (although somewhat comical) comments.  She has written vicious (although ridiculous) Google Reviews to hurt our perfect 5 star rating.  We have spoken to other breeders who could not risk more of  these attacks and so they have remained silent.  One breeder who was also a victim warned, “She will never go away.” This serial scammer changes her identity like someone changes her socks.  So we are vigilant watching our pages and watching our backs.

And then there’s our puppy families.  Verbally attacking us on a public forum puts doubt in the minds of our followers, prospective clients, friends, and families.  And sometimes all that’s needed to kill someone’s trust is to introduce doubt about their integrity in their practice through a malicious comment or review.  Our puppy families have been invited into our lives and into our home. They know and trust us.  Those that have our puppies, know that we are transparent, honest, and care about them throughout the life of their dog. But those that may be thinking of adopting a puppy from us are of course still wondering, are they trustworthy.

So now “Panda” and “Ashton,” dogs that I paid for that were never for sale, are listed again on AKC Marketplace with her several business pages “Exquisite European Cream Golden Retrievers.”  She will sell them several times over.  And the cycle continues.

I will make police reports.  I have asked for legal advice.  I am communicating with other victims

I am speaking to Sergeant Creed of the Catalpa County Sheriff’s department.  I expect retaliation.  I have called Josh Stein, the attorney general of North Carolina. I am discouraged, frustrated, angry and sad.  The world is darker than it was two weeks ago.

I keep repeating the mantra of my best friend; who is passionate about social justice and has kept me afloat through many of life’s troubled waters: “LOVE WINS!”   I consider what I have that money cannot buy.  I have a dear devoted husband who loves me more every day and loves me well.  I have children that make me laugh and make me feel adored.  I have two grandchildren who say I’m the best Grammy in the world and a new grandson who is the apple of everyone’s eye.  I have a fulfilling job and students who tell me I’m funny and hug me daily when they leave.  I have a purposeful life.  I will never need nor desire to steal, manipulate, or deceive to get what I want.  Because what we need and truly want in this life cannot be stolen. It must be nurtured in us. Money comes, money goes.  We will pursue justice, but it’s not going to come in the form of a $12,000 check.  It will come when others can be protected and the “Ted Bundy Serial Scammer” will not groom, deceive, and abuse another victim.

Love wins.  It may not win court cases, but the love of our families, friends and animals is a very powerful weapon, defense, and a source of light in this sometimes dark world.  We are changed.  But love wins.