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Lask's Lawsuit against popular Wag! pet service alleges false advertising
by Connie Thompson | KOMO News Wednesday, August 14th 2019
The California company behind the popular dog walking app Wag! was formally served a lawsuit Tuesday, claiming the fine print in its Terms of Service contradicts everything the company advertises.
New York attorney Susan Chana Lask initiated the lawsuit in court last month, but officially served the company an amended complaint on August 13.
"They can't distance themselves. They can't say these people are trustworthy, vetted and investigated," Lask said.
The suit, filed in the Eastern District of New York, goes after Wag Labs, Inc. for it's website marketing that promotes trusted dog walkers, trusted dog sitters, and trusted dog boarders, who are both pre-screened and insured.
Pet owners use the Wag! app to connect with nearby strangers offering to take the job. But, Lask says based on consumer complaints, many of which have been publicized in news reports and social media, many of those strangers are not nearly as vetted, trained or trustworthy as consumers are led to believe by the marketing.
The lawsuit points to fine print in Wag's! terms of service, stating that Wag! has no control over the conduct of it's dog walkers and disclaims all liability for anything that occurs by the pet provider.
'We have nothing to do with these walkers! We are not liable if anything happens! You're at your own risk'!" Lask said.
The lawsuit documents complaints from pet owners whose say their damage and compensation claims were rejected after their pets were mishandled, neglected or killed while in a Wag provider's care.
Lask says when consumers persist and make noise, they're contractually bound not to discuss it, or give negative ratings to the dog walker or sitter on the Wag! website
"In the lawsuit, we're asking for Wag! to be responsible to every consumer that's been misled," Lask said.
She also wants Wag! to change it's marketing and make it's terms of service more transparent.
"I want that terms of service front and center," said Lask, She'd also like to see cities and state laws start requiting gig-economy dog walkers and sitters to be trained, licensed and bonded.
"If you're making a business out of this, you'd better be licensed, bonded and insured, part-time or full-time, before you knock on someone's door and take their live animal into your hands," Lask said.
When reached for comment, a Wag! spokesperson replied by email with the following statement:
"While we don't comment on pending litigation, ensuring the safety and security of all those who use the Wag! platform is of utmost importance to us. Every day, thousands of pets are cared for using the Wag! platform. Accidents and incidents are rare, but we know the impact even one can have on the family involved. We are committed to the safety and security of our platform, and you can learn more about our Trust & Safety measures here." -
Lask Stops Massive NYS Puppy Mill
http://appellate-brief.com
On November 10, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. , New York State's Town of Barrington residents asked Susan Chana Lask for help to stop a massive Puppy Mill there, set to sell 500 dogs a year using 75 breeding dogs.
A November 14, 2017 Zoning Board meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. to approve the operation. Lask worked non-stop for three days, and one that weekend.
She discovered the Puppy Mill applicant was recently convicted of several counts of animal cruelty in Pennsylvania where his Puppy Mill there was shut down.
"New York State should not be a safe harbor for Puppy Mill operators convicted of animal cruelty in other states," said Lask.
Lask mobilized thousands of people, the media and reviewed hundreds of pages of documents to write her legal brief to the Board explaining that permitting the Puppy Mill was wrong.
On November 14, 2017, at 12 p.m., the Town of Barrington cancelled the meeting and the permit applications were withdrawn.
see http://appellate-brief.com/71-practice-areas/law-firm/506-barrington-new-york-puppy-mill.html for documents and criminal charges involved in this case.
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Video Transcript
" Penn Yan residents are furious over a proposed dog breeding facility --looking to operate in their town. ((sot))
"the puppies are being sold to loving families...they cant speak for themselves"
((sot)) "the town should be known for its beautiful lake and wine industry and not be associated with some backwards. As a community, I think it tarnishes our brand and our image and I think we can do better"
According to the permit request filed by Wayne Sensenig, he is looking to keep 75 breeding females at this property on Porters Corners Road.
Just across the street, another permit was requested by Wayne's father to sell up to 500 puppies a year. The applicant, John sensenig, a man previously convicted in Pennsylvania for animal cruelty charges stemming from inhumane conditions at the breeding facility he operated there.
SUSAN CHANA LASK- "He was shut down in june 2017, in May 2017 charges were brought against him, within a month he walked over to New York State and opened an application here in the Town of Barrington."
Susan Chana Lask, who does pro bono work representing puppy mill opponents, is urging residents to show up to Tuesday's town meeting to fight this.
((solina/news)) I spoke to both Wayne and John Sensenig. They both insisted they've done nothing wrong, the conditions are humane and the truth will come out tomorrow evenings meeting. Wayne declined to speak on camera, but said he had nothing to hide. Offering a tour of part of the facility, we only were allowed to see 6 dogs of the 75 that are there. He said it was for sanitation reasons and the dog's safety.
((adam/1-sh)) Thanks Solina. -
Lask as Civil Rights Expert on United Airlines Passenger Lawsuit
http://www.appellate-brief.com
April 13, 2017 KHOU-TV News
HOUSTON - Fliers traveling through Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday asked more questions surrounding the viral videos captured on board a United Airlines plane Sunday.
"I mean, don't they have private jets if they really want to get to work?” said United passenger Claudia Squires. “Why make other people suffer for that?"
KHOU 11 News was the first to report Monday the Kentucky-bound United Airlines flight where passenger David Dao was forcibly removed was not overbooked.
"This is very bad,” said civil rights attorney Susan Chana Lask. “Not only did United Airlines violate or breach a contract with this passenger -- it was bad enough they did that -- but they called airport security to forcibly remove him. Once airport security laid their hands on him the way they did, I see it as criminal."
Federal rules and the United passenger agreement guidelines regulate what happens if passengers are bumped from overbooked flights in “Rule 25” of the airline’s passenger agreement. However, the it does not address situations such as this one.
"They've been saying it's Rule 25, but that's completely untrue,” Lask said.
Attorneys representing Dao filed an emergency motion Wednesday to protect potential evidence. Lask said Dao has a strong case against both United as well as Chicago’s airport police.
"Millions, easily. It was very punitive what United Airlines did, and even after the fact when United Airlines CEO tried to disclaim any responsibility in using the wrong rule to deceive the public and make this man look terrible,” Lask said. “I think punitively, millions."
"Everybody has to follow the rules -- that includes employees as well,” Squires said. -
Puppy Sues Pet Store for Pain and Suffering to Shut Down Puppy Mills with Susan Chana Lask
http://www.appellate-brief.com Animal Advocate attorney Susan Chana Lask filed a landmark case for Umka the Puppy and Elena Zakharova for Umka's pain and suffering from congenital defects due to Puppy Mill bad breeding. The case expects damages against pet stores to stop them from supporting puppy mills and their bad breeding. It also gives consumers options other than limited Puppy Lemon Law relief. -
Umka the Puppy Sues Pet Store and Puppy Mills with Susan Chana Lask
http://www.appellate-brief.com Puppy Umka was purchased at a high price from New York East Side pet store Raising Rover by Elena Zakharova; but later it was discovered little Umka suffers congenital defects causing her to undergo painful surgeries. Animal Advocate attorney Susan Chana Lask filed a lawsuit on bahlaf of Elena and Umka to consider Umka as a "living being" capable of feeling pain and not "property" as the law defines pets sold at pet stores. -
Animal Rights Lawyer Susan Chana Lask and Umka Sue Puppy Mills
http://www.appellate-brief.com Animal Rights Lawyer Susan Chana Lask with client Umka the Puppy filed suit against a New York Pet Store for selling defective puppies. The lawsuit aims at changing the legal definition of pets from "property" to "living beings" to raise pet store liability for selling defective puppies, and that should stop their supporting Puppy Mills.. Ms. Lask wants to end Puppy Mills, which should decrease the puppy population and stop the needless deaths of Millions of puppies a year. The less breeding by Puppy Mills means less inhumane deaths by destroying these living souls.! -
Susan Chana Lask Interviewed on Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Divorce
High profile divorce attorney and litigator Susan Chana Lask interviewed on Entertainment Tonight's The Insider. Ms. Lask gives insight into prenuptials and the possible terms Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes may have, child custody and other divorce issues. Ms. Lask represents high net worth clients in divorces handled confidentially, including entertainers, actors, sports figures and other professionals in complicated legal cases. www.appellate-brief.com -
Susan Chana Lask Reps Myla Sinanaj in Kris Humphries Kim Kardashian Divorce
Myla Sinanaj, Kris Humphries' friend, represented by high powered NY lawyer Susan Chana Lask who explains Kim Kardashian's divorce subpoena to Myla for August 20, 2012 is nonsense. -
Susan Chana Lask on Today Show on Ambien and Kerry Kennedy Crash
High powered attorney Susan Chana Lask explains on the Today Show Ambien's role in the Kerry Kennedy July 12, 2012 car crash. In 2006, Susan Chana Lask was the only attorney brave enough to file a class action to gain media attention for public awareness that Ambien had dangerous side effects harming people, including deaths. Ms. Lask created the term "Ambien Zombies", meaning certain people that take the medication will wake up after taking ambien in a sleep-like state and engage in activities like sleep driving, sleep eating and accidental deaths. The bizarre parlance of the FDA terms these people an "acceptable risk". Ms. Lask's relentless crusade from 2006 to 2007 led to the FDA admitting the dangers existed and ordered Sanofi Aventis, the makers of Ambien, to include the exact warnings Ms. Lask demanded so everyone understands the risks. www.appellate-brief.com -
Susan Chana Lask Today Show Interview on Kerry Kennedy Ambien Crash
Full Version of Attorney Susan Chana Lask interview on Ambien side effects causing people to lose their memory but drive cars and do other activities harmful to themsleves and others. Ms. Lask created the term "Ambien Zombies" to describe this phenomenon. Ms. Lask is the only attorney in 2006-2007 to crusade against dangerous Ambien side effects. Lask single handedly fought big pharma Sanofi Aventis. Her work resulted in the FDA admitting in 2007 the issue existed and ordering the exact warnings Ms. Lask's lawsuit demanded. www.appellate-brief.com -
NY Attorney Susan Chana Lask on Celebuzz Explains Bethenny Frankel Divorce
New York High Profile Divorce Attorney Susan Chana Lask explains Bethenny Frankel's Divorce and custody battle and the Millions of Dollars in property and more at stake.
http://www.appellate-brief.com -
New York Assemblyman Katz' Attorney Susan Chana Lask Speaks
On April 25, 2013, Attorney Susan Chana Lask details her finalizing the plea deal for New York State Assemblyman Steven Katz to a dismissal because proof could not be substantiated. On about March 14, 2013 Assemblyman Katz was stopped for a routine traffic stop and ticketed for speeding and possession of marijuana. Although the media reported he was arrested, that was not true. Assemblyman Katz was never arrested and Ms. Lask had all charges dismissed. -
ABC News NightLine: Lask Wins Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against CVS
Susan Chana Lask sued CVS and won a federal racial discrimination lawsuit about a CVS employee who wrote "Ching Ching" on a receipt he gave to an Asian customer.
CVS refused to acknowledge the customer's complaints to management and corporate headquarters that their employees identified her as "ching chong" and handed the receipt to her with that written on it. CVS also refused to acknowledge the shock and despair the customer suffered from that incident.
Only after Ms. Lask entered an appearance for the customer, then CVS fired the employee who wrote the discriminatory remarks on the receipts and they settled the case for a confidential amount that more than satisfied Ms. Lask's client. The settlement occurred in record time of less than 30 days after Ms. Lask filed the federal complaint, and without CVS answering the complaint.
It was Ms. Lask's legal knowledge and skill and reputation that led to an immediate settlement. Other lawyers attempted to file similar cases, and could not settle or win their cases. -
Susan Chana Lask files CVS Pharmacy Racial Discrimination Suit
Susan Chana Lask represents Hyun Lee, a Korean woman who received on her February, 2013 CVS Pharamacy receipt the racial slur "Ching Chong" where her customer name should be. After she complained to CVS, the never terminated the employee but instead said he would be "counseled and trained." On April 16, 2013, Lask filed a discrimination lawsuit against CVS and CVS immediately fired the employee. The case is continuing.
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