A dog breeder in Goshen Township is now at the center of more than a dozen civil cases and a criminal investigation, after people from here to California have accused her of taking their money, but never delivering a dog.

Added all up, more than $20,000 from would-be dog owners is now unaccounted for, and it has the eyes of the Goshen Township Police Department and the Mahoning County Prosecutor's office.

"We are in the process of reviewing that to determine if it rises to the level of criminal activity, and once we've had the opportunity to do that--we will make a decision at that time.", said Gina Degenova.

Kassandra Maillis and her husband live in Struthers and were one of the families who have yet to receive a puppy nor their refund. 

"We were supposed to get a puppy and we keep getting a run around as to why we can't get a puppy." said Kassandra. She says she put a $1600 deposit on an English Bulldog puppy.

A few months later they came across a Facebook group where other buyers sought the same answers

"I was skeptical of the group because I actually didn't want to believe I was being scammed out of $1,600, but then once I joined the group it was pretty evident I wasn't going to get a puppy or my refund.", she added.

A combined 18 criminal and civil suits have been filed against April Waidman, her attorney neglected to comment on the matter.

The American Kennel Club says you should never buy a puppy without seeing it first, and a good breeder should be doing as much to find the right fit for the puppy.

"To make sure you have the right amount of space or the appropriate activity level.  To make sure you know what it is to own this dog in particular.", said Brandi Munden, vice president of communications at AKC.

Munden says Waidman is listed as an AKC breeder and will be looking in to it as a result of these suits