Dennis Franks is making a habit of being a no-show for court appearances.

The former owner of Broc’s Puppies in South Lake Tahoe didn’t appear for his March 18 preliminary hearing. In June 2011 he failed to appear for an arraignment.

Retired El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Jerry Lasarow, who now acts as a visiting judge throughout the state, issued an arrest warrant for Franks. Franks now lives in Las Vegas.

The pet store had been controversial since almost the day it opened. Several dogs bought there later died. It was also linked to puppy mills. The store led South Lake Tahoe to create an ordinance banning the sale of dogs and cats in the city limits, which was a ground breaking law at the time. Several cities have followed suit since then.

Franks faces numerous grand theft and forgery charges.

Broc’s Puppies and its sister store in Carson City, Lil’ Pups, closed in April 2010.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report