Controversial Warrenville pet store closes its doors

A Warrenville pet store that was accused of selling puppies from abusive, mass-breeders apparently has closed its doors.

A worker on a bucket lift was taking down the sign of the Happiness is Pets store Wednesday morning at the southwest corner of Route 59 and Batavia Road.

The inside of the store was stripped clear of any animals or cages, and had just a single garbage can sitting by the window. There was no notice posted explaining the store's closing.

It's unclear whether the store - one of six locations in Cook and DuPage counties - had closed its doors for good, or simply moved locations. Owner Ron Berning couldn't be reached for comment.

The Warrenville store location had caused a stir among some residents when it opened in October 2006.

Therese Davis and her husband had organized several protests last year at the site, claiming the store sold dogs raised in abusive conditions.

"I know there are pet stores everywhere, but when this one opened up in our town, we thought it was too close to home," Davis said.

The couple's efforts led to a defamation lawsuit filed against them by Berning, which was later dropped. Berning had sought $100,000 in damages and an injunction to stop the protesters.

He has denied the accusations that the store's pets were in any way mistreated.

Davis learned about the store closing this week from an employee who worked at the same strip mall where the pet store was located. Employees from several neighboring stores said Wednesday that business apparently was slow at the Happiness is Pets store before it closed.

"There are better alternatives to buying a dog from a pet store," Davis said. "This place just didn't belong here."