By Kathryn Reed

Broc’s Puppies and Lil’ Pups are closed. Where the dogs are is unknown. A family member who at one time claimed to be an owner is in a Nevada prison on charges relating to violating probation regarding an earlier drug charge.

The phone numbers for the South Lake Tahoe and Carson City stores that were owned and operated by members of the Franks clan are both disconnected. Websites for both stores are still up.

Broc's Puppies has a padlock on the front door. Photos/Kathryn Reed

The van that so often was parked outside of the South Lake Tahoe store has not been seen for a few days. A padlock is on the front door. Signs are gone that had been in the window.

Peering inside it is obvious most items have been cleared out. There is no evidence any dogs are inside.

A filing cabinet with a couple missing drawers is in the back by the dumpster. Inside the dumpster is a television and the stench of animal urine.

At the Carson City store the sign is still up, but the windows are covered with paper to prevent anyone from looking in.

Where the owners are is not known. Nor is it known exactly how long each store has been closed.

Sources close to the issue told Lake Tahoe News the Tahoe store was shuttered because the owners were evicted for not paying rent and not having the proper permits because they had begun to groom and board animals without authorization.

A South Lake Tahoe police sergeant said his department was not involved in getting the owners to leave.

Both stores were the first in the respective cities to sell puppies. After the Carson store opened in November 2006, people complained of sick dogs much like they did when the Tahoe store later opened. Animal advocates alleged puppy mills were the suppliers. Owners denied these allegations.

Not much is left inside Broc's.

A year ago, the South Lake Tahoe City Council enacted an ordinance prohibiting the sale of live dogs and cats. Broc’s was to be grandfathered in for two years.

Albert Franks at one time was the manager in Carson City and Danny Franks had owned the store. Albert Franks is the patriarch of the family and has also managed the Tahoe store.

Albert Franks told this reporter in fall 2008 that his grandson owns the Tahoe store. David Franks is the one now in a Nevada penitentiary. He was arrested at Broc’s in January.

Dennis Franks, brother of Danny, is David Franks’ father. Dennis Franks was listed as the owner when El Dorado County Animal Control officers raided the store in June 2009. The District Attorney’s Office had not determined if charges would be filed.