Seizure Alert Dog Trainer Not Answering Subpoenas

CANTON — The owner of a South Colton seizure alert dog training company accused by his clients of duping them has failed to answer subpoenas from the state attorney general.

Assistant Attorney General Deanna R. Nelson filed an order to show cause Thursday in state Supreme Court, Canton, against Jon C. Sabin, owner of Seizure Alert Dogs for Life. The order requires Mr. Sabin to appear in court Friday to explain why he hasn't turned his business records over to investigators.

Mr. Sabin's attorney, David P. Antonucci, Watertown, said he sent a letter to the attorney general's office that said his client will be invoking his Fifth Amendment right not to be questioned by investigators.

"They don't want to cooperate with us," Mr. Antonucci said. "They don't want to discuss what they're looking for. I'm not going to allow my client to blindly walk into questioning."

As to the subpoena requiring Mr. Sabin to turn over records, Mr. Antonucci said there is not a factual basis for the request. According to the order, Mr. Sabin is asked to turn over documents by Feb. 9.

An investigation started last month when families from Washington, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts and New York called the attorney general's office to complain the dogs they purchased from Mr. Sabin did not alert them minutes before a seizure.

The German shepherds, which can cost from $10,000 to $20,000, are targeted toward epileptic patients who suffer from many seizures a day.

Mr. Antonucci said all of the complaints he has reviewed are without merit. He said the matter was a contractual issue.

A spokeswoman for the attorney general's office declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.