Pet store fined for alleged animal cruelty

The head of Georgia's agriculture department announced fines today against the owner of an Augusta Mall pet store under local and state investigation for animal cruelty.

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Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin announced that Larry Wendt, the owner and operator of Wendt's Pets Inc. - formerly Petland - will have to pay a $5,000 penalty from charges involving possible animal cruelty at the store.

The department also placed other conditions in a consent order signed by Mr. Wendt in order to retain his state pet dealer's license, a news release states. The department requires the license for all pet stores in the state.

The release also states that Mr. Wendt will be put on probation with the agency for one year, and if he is convicted in any criminal proceeding during the probation period, his pet dealer's license will be revoked.

Mr. Wendt, along with two other people, face misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in Richmond County Magistrate Court, scheduled for March 25.

Reach Jeremy Craig at (706) 823-3409 or jeremy.craig@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Friday, March 12, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle