Breeder to be Tried in August
After repeated delays and postponements at the request of the defendant,
the trial of Marsha Ann Leigh (aka Marsha Mulligan) has been set for August
2, 1999. Witnesses originally subpoenaed in early September 1998 recently
received notice of the new setting.
Leigh, a well-known Iowa breeder was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of criminal fraud, including mail fraud. The charges stemmed from complaints by purchasers of puppies who had paid exorbitant amounts of money for purportedly pure or near pure wolves. It is alleged (among other charges) that Leigh mailed customers pictures which she claimed to be of her own Wolf Hybrid stock; but were actually photographs of wolves clipped from wildlife calendars, greeting cards, catalogues and magazines. Leigh has also been charged with intimidating witnesses and the operation of fraudulent registries.
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My son and I purchased our first wolf dogs from this breeder 20 years ago, (photos below). They were reported to be 87 percent wolf, one at $200, and the other $400.. As time went on, her prices escalated to $1,500. up to $2,500 per animal. As you can see from the photos, these animals are much closer to 87 percent dog than 87 percent wolf. It has taken over 20 years to bring this bogus breeder to trial with the combined efforts of many poor souls that she scammed. There was no breeders contract, no screening procedure, no health guarantee, no pedigrees or lineages, no education, and she wasn't even breeding for looks.......just BIG BUCKS.
The Internet and newspapers are full of bogus WD ads such as 4 week old Arctic pups that are already snow white, etc. I would like to see all newspaper advertising stopped, but that will be hard to accomplish. I would also like to see a massive Internet campaign against bogus wolf dog breeders that is sponsored by the reputable wolf dog organizations, registries, owners, and breeders. It is time to focus on the BIG problems instead of arguing about the nonimportant items such as whether the animals are house dogs or live in outside facilities.