Dayton, OH: Protest Bearded Dragon Sales at PetSmart!

Please join local PETA supporters to protest PetSmart for selling bearded dragons and other animals. A whistleblower who worked at Reptiles by Mack, a Xenia, Ohio supplier to Phoenix-based PetSmart, found dragons at the suppliers' facility confined in barren plastic tubs where they could not burrow, hide, or climb—all basic bearded dragon behaviors. Dragons were denied water for drinking and soaking; they attempted to drink drops of water left behind during cleaning and drank continuously when the eyewitness misted the enclosures. Dragons were often found lethargic, emaciated, or suffering from other conditions, including apparent fungal and mouth infections. At least 420 dragons—including dozens of babies deemed “slow growers”—were put down in less than eight weeks. Dragons, including babies, were routinely found dead. The eyewitness alone found 69 dragons dead in less than eight weeks. When the eyewitness asked how animals were put down, a supervisor said the animals were gassed using carbon dioxide for up to 10 minutes.