Beware of animals sold off common road

Submitted by Nina Brooner of Queen Creek:

My husband and daughter saw a mom with three girls off Rittenhouse Road selling puppies out of her minivan. Puppies being sold off roads on the weekends is big here in Pinal County.

We brought home a healthy, beautiful, perfect 5-week-old pup. Within less than three weeks, he awoke with a strained leg. No biggie; puppies hurt themselves, right?

A veteranarian did x-rays and antiflammitory medicine was given with a $300 bill.

Weeks later, the puppy began having seizures, so we took him to the the vet again, who found nothing except maybe epilepsy. We were told it was no big deal, to keep an eye on him and bring him back for if the seizures don't stop for anti-epileptic meds.

Shortly thereafter, the seizures got really bad. Two more trips to the vet and $800 later, we were told tests came back positive for exposure to Valley Fever.

A few days later, the seizures were so severe we rushed the puppy to the vet again. By that time he had a fever of 106 and was bleeding in the brain. H could not see or hear and may of been brain damaged.

That was the last time I was able to see him until I had to put him down.

After Max died, I received the call he did have Valley Fever and that it was a strain that went to the brain instead of the typical lung and muscle form. His immunity was just too weak to fight it off at such a young age.

My whole purpose in telling my story is not only to let people know not to buy pets off the streets but also to let the people trying to make a buck selling these animals know the damage they may be causing.

I was told by the vets that if I see anyone selling any animals on the streets to report them to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office or call animal control.