a german shephard watchdog
2006-07-25 05:52:09 · 19 answers · asked by maureen631 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Anyone can sue anyone for anything these days. The question is, can you win? Do you have proof that the dog was sick when you got it (vet bills, etc.)? Do you have a written health guarantee from the breeder?
Check the puppy Lemon laws in your state to see if they apply to you.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_puppymills_lemon
2006-07-25 08:31:30 · answer #1 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IF you can prove the illness came 1) from the parents or 2) before you got him, other wise it is your responsibility to take care of this dog and get proper vet care.
Some breeders carry a policy to take back the ill puppy or to help pay costs at the vet.
IF the breeder is responsible they should have provided you with all vaccination or vet services before you had the dog.
You should have had a vet look at the puppy before buying him.
ALL STATES differ in laws...
Be careful of PUPPY MILLS places that just make a buck on breeding dogs and do not care for them.
IF you can also prove you did all you could to get help for and care for the puppy then some legal recourse is possible.
But it really depends on the condition of the puppy from the tie he/she was born untill the time you got it.
You need to PROVE the breeder was selling sick puppies.
2006-07-25 06:10:19 · answer #2 · answered by Samuella BurrowShire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on what disease he has, whether it is genetic, whether there was a guarantee in your contract, and when and why he became ill..
If it is hip dysplasia..no
If it is demodectic mange..maybe, if breeder bred dogs with this..
If it is thyroid..no
liver failure or kidney failure..no.
If you have had the dog less than a month and it is not a virus...probably.
If you had the dog less than 10 days and it is a virus...yes
You can take anybody to small claims court, but if your case isn't good enough, it will cost you the court costs if you lose...All illness cases have to be verified by a vet, and the vet has to confirm in writing that the disease is genetic or that it had the diesease when you recieved the dog.
You didn't give enough detail to answer you any more specifically.
2006-07-25 06:04:54 · answer #3 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try, but I doubt you would win. All the breeder has to say is when I sold her the dog it was in good health. It will be your word against hers. If you took the dog from the breeders directly to the vets office you might have a better chance of winning, if the vet says that the dog was sick when he saw it. Other then that I don't think you have a very good chance. Good luck.
2006-07-25 05:57:43 · answer #4 · answered by venus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends. Was teh dog noticably sick to you before you purchased it? If not, how long after the sale did it become sick? Did the breeder know about the illness? These are all questions you must ask before you sue
2006-07-25 05:57:19 · answer #5 · answered by LorgSkyegon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does your breeder guarantee healthy dogs? If they have a website, check their heath guarantees. Most only have 'life' guarantees. In order to sue them without a guarantee, you would have to prove they knew before selling the dog that it was ill.
(If you have any paperwork from the breeder about the dog, read it for guarantees.)
2006-07-25 05:56:46 · answer #6 · answered by Kats 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you purchased your dog from a reputable breeder, she/he should have allowed you a few days to have the puppy checked out by your vet to determine the puppy's health status. Also, a reputable breeder would guarantee against congenital defects.
In some states, you can take her to small claims court to recoup your money, but you will also have to return the dog to her unless it died from its illness.
2006-07-25 05:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by Free Bird 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you got it from a good breeder, most will refund your money. It really does depend on how long you've had him and what is wrong with him. Not all problems are the breeders fault, it could even be your fault depending on what the problem is.
2006-07-25 06:14:04 · answer #8 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely, your breeder has some responsibility when selling you a dog, they usually guarantee their dogs. you can either request they give you a healthy dog or take your paper work, the vet bills etc to an attorney. usually all it takes for a breeder to take responsibility is a letter from an attorney. good luck .....
2006-07-25 05:56:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can, as long as you have not signed a buy as is agreement. anyone who sells dogs has a reasonable obligation to provide you with a healthy animal. check your local legal ordinances regarding breeders in your area. they can also point you in the direction for relief.
2006-07-25 05:58:24 · answer #10 · answered by elizabeth j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋