Attorney General Ellison shuts down problematic dog breeder

Bold North Frenchies agrees to dissolve, owners agree to not sell animals in Minnesota

November 4, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that he has shut down a problematic dog breeder, Bold North Frenchies L.L.C. The settlement comes on the heels of an investigation Attorney General Elison’s Office conducted after receiving complaints that Bold North Frenchies sold sick dogs to consumers across the country and failed to provide mandatory disclosures about the dogs’ health and veterinary care.

According to the settlement, an Assurance of Discontinuance filed today in Hennepin County, Bold North Frenchies will dissolve and its owners, Ali and Mark Holman, will cease selling animals in Minnesota. The Attorney General’s Office reached the Assurance with the Holmans after they made financial disclosures to the Office and represented that bankruptcy was imminent.

Minnesota law protects retail purchasers of pets by, among other things, requiring disclosures about a sold animal’s health, veterinary visits, and registration eligibility. Minnesota law also generally prohibits deceptive and unfair trade practices. You can read more about Minnesota protections for pet purchasers in the Attorney General’s new publication, Buying a Pet.

“Pets can be great additions to your family, and they’re a big investment,” Attorney General Ellison said. “Minnesota law protects you from being misled about that investment and your pet’s health. We stand ready to make sure animal breeders and retailers are honest and forthright with their customers, as Minnesota law requires.”

Attorney General Ellison encourages Minnesotans to submit complaints about unscrupulous pet dealers or retailers by filing a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office via its online complaint form, or by calling the Office at (651) 296-3353 (Metro area) or (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota).