Selling sick dogs
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If a breeder is selling directly to the consumer, not wholesale to brokers for pet stores, they do not have to be registered with the USDA. They may have to be registered with the state, though.
As Marsha said, start with Animal Control if you want the breeder investigated.
If you bought a sick puppy and want your money back or reimbursement for vet bills, that is a different scenario. Depending on what state you live in, you may be protected by "puppy lemon laws".
If you tell me what state you live in, I'd be happy to look up the law. I'll also need the state the breeder lives in if different.
As Marsha said, start with Animal Control if you want the breeder investigated.
If you bought a sick puppy and want your money back or reimbursement for vet bills, that is a different scenario. Depending on what state you live in, you may be protected by "puppy lemon laws".
If you tell me what state you live in, I'd be happy to look up the law. I'll also need the state the breeder lives in if different.
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I live in NY but the "breeder" is in OK. I purchased my dog back in November and she arrived very sick. I spent $500 in medical bills (sick for 3/12 weeks) plus a hernia and mlp that will need to be fixed later on. I provided my vet bills and the findings from the Vet but the "breeder" denied he sent me a sick dog. He never sent me my ACA papers either which were part of the sale included in the contract. Anyway, they just kept feeding me lies the entire time and long story short we dont speak anymore but I did post online on various websites my story of what they did to me. However, i found very little recourses when it came to agencies that would be able to stop their dirty business practices. They continue to advertise on Puppyfind and use fake fotos of dogs that dont exist. They swap the fotos constantly and it was so obvious that just last month they reused the picture of the dog i was suppose to have received again with a new name and birthdate for sale once more. The puppy i got looked nothing like the picture of what I saw on the internet. I got taken for a ride and hope that others dont have to go through this as well which is why i ask.
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Like what? It was not AKC it is ACA registration. ACA said they registered the litter but the "greeder" never sent me the paperwork. I found them on puppyfind username was Pupeluv and website pupeluv.com. They have since put the website for "sale" after my review went up on the puppyfind listing. But they also go under another Alias and continue to sell sick dogs with fake pictures using the name of Okieteacups and website Okieteacup.com
Unfortunately you may have no recourse. First, you need to read your sale agreement and look for language regarding health warantees, money back, etc. Most sale contracts do not cover reimbursement for veterinary bills and refund/replacement puppy clauses are limited to life threatening genetic and/or congenital defects. Hernias are not life threatening. If "mlp" has something to do with luxating patellas, they are not life threatening either. In order to receive a refund/replacement puppy, most sale contracts require you to have the puppy examined by your vet within a certain period of time and notify the breeder of any defects. Did your sale contract contain any clause like this and did you abide by that clause? Again, most sale contracts only give you a limited period of time (2-7 days) to return the dog for a refund or replacement puppy (usually Seller's choice) and only then if it is for a life threatening defect. As for ACA papers ... whether you have them or not they are really worthless. The AKC (American Kennel Club) is the only true registry for purebred dogs. Lastly, if you choose to sue you will most likely have to do it in Oklahoma. Hindsight is 20/20 and now you know that buying a living being sight unseen over the internet has its risks.
You could look into small claims court but sometimes you just have to chalk it up to a hard lesson learned.
Puppyfind is not a reputable website.
ACA is not a reputable registry and IMHO the papers are worthless.
Buying longdistance is risky and you really have to check a breeder out no matter where they are located.
I've been in your shoes. I bought a puppy I saw advertised in the local classifieds only to spend $400+ in vet bills when he became deathly ill. Thankfully he pulled through and I have a happy, healthy, awesome, 6 yr old dog. I wish you the best of luck w/ your puppy!
Puppyfind is not a reputable website.
ACA is not a reputable registry and IMHO the papers are worthless.
Buying longdistance is risky and you really have to check a breeder out no matter where they are located.
I've been in your shoes. I bought a puppy I saw advertised in the local classifieds only to spend $400+ in vet bills when he became deathly ill. Thankfully he pulled through and I have a happy, healthy, awesome, 6 yr old dog. I wish you the best of luck w/ your puppy!
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New York does have puppy lemon laws.
Here's an overview:
Lemon Law for Dogs and Cats - New York BBB
New York Pet Lemon Law
Here is the actual statute:
http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AI/AILaws/Art-35D-Sale of-Dogs-and-Cats.pdf
If you have documentation about your puppy's health from your vet within 14 days of receiving her, you are entitled to a refund of your vet bills up to her purchase price. I'm sure you could get a judgment against the breeder in Small Claims Court, but it might not be worth it. There are court costs involved in NY, plus more costs with filing the judgment in Oklahoma. It can be very difficult to collect a judgment in another state, especially if these people are scammers and know how to work the system.
Here's an overview:
Lemon Law for Dogs and Cats - New York BBB
New York Pet Lemon Law
Here is the actual statute:
http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AI/AILaws/Art-35D-Sale of-Dogs-and-Cats.pdf
If you have documentation about your puppy's health from your vet within 14 days of receiving her, you are entitled to a refund of your vet bills up to her purchase price. I'm sure you could get a judgment against the breeder in Small Claims Court, but it might not be worth it. There are court costs involved in NY, plus more costs with filing the judgment in Oklahoma. It can be very difficult to collect a judgment in another state, especially if these people are scammers and know how to work the system.
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If they sell within NY state, they are bound by it's laws. Unless it states in your contract that all claims must be filed in Oklahoma, you could argue that jurisdiction properly belongs in NY as all the witnesses, veterinary records, and subject of the action (the puppy) are in NY.
The problem would be the courts costs and costs of transcribing the judgment to Oklahoma where it would have to be executed since all you could recover is her $500 purchase price. These people sound clever and collecting on the judgment would probably be very difficult.
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Yikes! What an expensive lesson to learn. Is she healthy now?
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