RALEIGH, N.C. — More than 40 families have filed complaints against a recently shuttered North Carolina company that trained service dogs.
WRAL-TV reports Attorney General Josh Stein called the complaints against Ry-Con Service Dogs "deeply troubling," saying his office is investigating.
Customers said they paid hefty sums for dogs that weren't properly trained to work with their special-needs children.
Rebecca Peluso of Florida says she paid $9,600 for a dog meant to calm her 6-year-old daughter with autism. She says the dog was an "underweight, skittish mess." DeAnna Ranheim says she paid $14,600 for what amounted to a "very cute, very expensive pet" for her daughter with cerebral palsy.
Ry-Con founder Mark Mathis says financial difficulties caused the closure, which affected training, and the problems weren't the result of a "willful act or scam."
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Woman found shot, killed after domestic violence call in east Charlotte
- Officials: Lancaster couple hit patrol cars, ran over officer's legs before shot dead by police
- District 9 election hearing set for Tuesday; Harris won't attend due to illness
- WATCH: Meteorologist Keith Monday's Tuesday forecast outlook
- Coast Guard medevacs woman from cruise ship off North Carolina coast
Associated Press