Ali Holman, a prominent fitness instructor based in Minneapolis, is under police investigation and facing multiple civil lawsuits accusing her of neglect and abuse in her dog breeding business, Bold North Frenchies LLC. The business, which Holman operates with her husband, Mark Holman, has come under scrutiny for operating without a valid license.
Holman, who has been a regular contributor to WCCO-TV and FOX 9 in the Twin Cities and was named one of the most influential people in the Twin Cities by MSP Magazine in 2014, recently attempted to file for a “temporary use permit” for Bold North Frenchies in Dayton, Minnesota. However, she withdrew the application following public concerns expressed at a Dayton City Council meeting.
The Holmans are involved in two separate legal cases concerning their business, which they started during the pandemic. One notable lawsuit was filed by Rachel Armstrong, who purchased a French bulldog named “Willow” from the Holmans for over $8,500 in May 2023. According to the complaint, the Holmans failed to provide necessary documentation about the dog’s lineage and vaccination records. Willow, who was transported by plane to Armstrong in Colorado, arrived in poor health and had to be euthanized due to an autoimmune disease and other health issues. Armstrong is seeking more than $17,000 in damages, with a jury trial set for May 2025.
The Dayton Police Department confirmed receiving multiple complaints on March 15 regarding an unlicensed breeding facility operated by the Holmans. Customers of Bold North Frenchies have posted photos and videos online showing sick French bulldogs, prompting involvement from the animal cruelty watchdog group, Animal Folks. Marianne Shumaker, an operator for Animal Folks, reported hearing about at least three other dogs that died and numerous others suffering from severe health issues.
Shumaker stated, “The stories are not just, you know, I didn’t get what I paid for, they’re stories of people who receive puppies in horrible conditions, very sick.” Since the initial reporting, two more women have come forward with similar complaints, and Shumaker expects more to follow. She advocates for shutting down Bold North Frenchies and urges the attorney general to intervene.
In a recent civil case, Julie Shoberg was awarded $2,478 after alleging that the Holmans provided false vaccination and lineage records. The Holmans are appealing this ruling. Another case, filed by Kacey Anderson in November 2023, was initially ruled in favor of the Holmans, but Anderson is appealing, seeking almost $3,500 for a French bulldog she claims was a “lemon dog” due to its health issues.
Holman has denied all allegations, stating in a TikTok video, “For the past year, I have been dealing with a group of women who have been harassing my entire family and me.” Her TikTok account has since been made private. Despite the controversy, Holman expressed her continued commitment to breeding dogs and bringing joy to families.