Harbor Lane Danes Will Heberlin William Heberlin Will Heberlin has been breeding unfit great danes for over 30 years in VA Beach with a known reputation of not caring for his dogs, he sold me a dog who was hospitalized for parvovirus and spent 4 days in the emergency vet while two of her siblings died because he refused to take them to the hospital Virginia Beach Virginia

I am seeking assistance for unethical breeding from a Great Dane breeder, William Heberlin.Mr. Heberlin never allowed me to see the conditions the puppies were living in, and when I went to his house to meet him and give him a deposit I was directed to his mother’s house across the street so I was unable to meet the puppy in advanced or see the living conditions. I can only imagine they were subpar considering when I picked the puppy up on 12/17/17 the 5 puppies I saw were extremely filthy and had a horrible odor, requiring me to bathe the puppy immediately.  I was able to see the outside of his home and it looked to be unkempt, unclean, overgrown, and in my opinion in utter disrepair so I can only imagine what the inside looked like.

I purchased a puppy from William Heberlin on 12/17/17 for $1500 cash with a signed contract guaranteeing the puppy would be “in sound body and health, and free from any communicable diseases as far as appears to the eye”. I also received a receipt stating Mr. Heberlin had taken the puppy to the vet on 12/16/17 to receive her Dhpp puppy vaccine and a wellness exam. On 12/20/17 she was admitted to the emergency vet for Parvovirus and stayed in the hospital for 3 days acquiring $2,369.50 in bills. I notified Mr. Heberlin immediately upon receiving the news that the puppy tested positive for parvovirus and that he needed to bring the other puppies to the vet. He stated that he wouldn’t be able to because he was busy with work. According to a conversation I had with him today (February 5, 2018) he stated that two puppies died in his care and two other puppies that had gone to other homes survived with hospitalization.

According to Virginia law section § 3.2-6510. “Sale of unweaned or certain immature animals prohibited, vaccinations required for dogs and cats; penalty states: B. “Dealers shall provide all dogs and cats with current vaccinations against contagious and infectious diseases, as recommended in writing and considered appropriate for the animal's age and breed by a licensed veterinarian, or pursuant to written recommendations provided by the manufacturer of such vaccines at least five days before any new owner takes possession of the animal. For dogs, the vaccinations required by this subsection shall include at a minimum canine distemper, adenovirus type II parainfluenza, and parvovirus”.

According to Code of Virginia Title § 3.2-6514, “A. If at any time within 14 days following the receipt of an animal a licensed veterinarian certifies such animal to be unfit for purchase due to be infected with parvovirus, the pet dealer shall afford the consumer the right to choose one of the following options: 1. The right to return the animal or in the case of an animal that has died, to present the veterinary certification, within three business days of certification and receive a refund of the purchase price including sales tax; or…..3. In the case of an animal purchased from a pet shop or a USDA licensed dealer, the right to retain the animal and to receive the reimbursement of veterinary fees in an amount up to the purchase price of the animal, including sales tax and the cost of the veterinary certification, incurred up to the time the consumer notifies the pet dealer of the intent to keep the animal. B. The refund or reimbursement required by subsection A shall be made by the pet dealer not later than 10 business days following receipt of a signed veterinary certification”.

I have also spoken with numerous members of the Central Virginia Great Dane community, one specifically (Renee Herrera) who is involved with a Great Dane rescue program and she has stated that numerous complaints have been filed with the AKC against William Heberlin and his great danes to include most of them requiring rehoming for behavioral (aggression) issues, and premature death due to congenital heart issues as well as glaucoma. She stated, “I’m sorry you got taken in but Harbor Lane danes is one of the (worst) breeders in the area. He’s been reported to the AKC in the past. His dogs are known to have temperament issues and genetic health issues…. He never takes responsibility for his dog’s issues and he does not take them back…We took one of his dogs years ago and she was a hot mess of anxiety…..I am involved in rescue and every time I get a call about a dog aggressive or people aggressive dog I ask if it came from him…..He also breeds heart defects and glaucoma.” It is also known that although ‘numerous’ complaints have been filed, “nothing has been done” and he has been able to continue breeding for the past 30 years. He is known to “not care” about his dogs or their wellbeing.

I do not think it is humane that this person should be allowed to continue breeding and selling puppies when it is known in the community that he is “one of the worst breeders in the area”.  I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau as well as the Attorney General’s Office of Virginia. I truly hope something can be done to prevent him from being able to put puppies at risk, as well as new owners who do not realize he has such a horrible reputation. I have spoken with at least ten people who know that the great danes he has bred and sold end up in rescue homes because their owners are unable to deal with their aggression issues or they die prematurely because of congenital heart issues or suffer from vision problems secondary to glaucoma that he knows about, yet continues to breed and sell to innocent families.