Southern Tier wildlife-control business fined, forced to change business practices

The owner of a Southern Tier wildlife removal and control business will have to change his business practices after consumers complained about “incomplete work and unattended warranty issues.”

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has obtained an agreement with Jason Carter, who conducted business under the name Fur & Feathers Wildlife Control, Schneiderman’s office said in a news release.

Under the agreement, Carter paid a civil penalty of $2,000.

He also agreed to file an assumed business name certificate for Fur & Feathers Wildlife Control in the Tioga County Clerk’s Office and any other county in which he may be conducting business.

The investigation
Schneiderman began an investigation into Carter’s business practices after consumers filed several complaints that he “had not completed” work on homes to prevent extracted wildlife from reentering the structures.

Consumers also complained that they were unable to contact Carter to have him come back and remove wildlife that had returned during the warranty period.

When consumers attempted to call Carter, their telephone messages were either not returned, or, if returned, Carter didn’t show up at agreed-upon times to make repairs, Schneiderman’s office said.

“When New Yorkers pay someone to perform a service, that service should be performed fully, properly and in a timely manner,” Schneiderman said in the news release. “My office will keep working to make sure that hardworking New Yorkers get the services they’ve paid for and that business owners who skirt their responsibilities are held accountable.”

Making changes
As a part of the agreement, Carter also agreed that he would modify his business contracts to include the approximate or estimated dates when his work would begin and be “substantially completed.”

He also agreed that he would return all consumer calls related to warranty work, or completion of unfinished jobs, within 48 hours.

He also agreed to make arrangements with consumers to perform warranty work and completion of unfinished contract work no later than two weeks from the time a consumer initially contacts him.

And if he doesn’t complete the work, Carter agreed to refund all amounts that the consumer pays, according to Schneiderman’s office

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com