Should my family call"Judge Judy"?

Question

In less than SIX MONTHS, two of the five Daschunds my family has, have had to have almost all of their teeth pulled. Hannah was the second. She just went back in to the vet today. They're going to pull most of the teeth on the right side of her mouth. The roots of her teeth were BLACK! Both her and her "sister" Daisy were adopted from the same breeder near Rochester,N.Y. At almost any given time, there can be as many as 60 dogs living at this "PUPPY MILL"! They even refused to give my one sister-in-law, Daisy's vet records. My brother-in-law, has also had vet bills for the other three dogs he has. Hannah's vet bill is $2,000! They also found a polyp on one of her ovaries. The results of the biopsy isn't in yet. I told Hannah's "MOTHER", she, her sister, and brother should consider suing these people on "Judge Judy". Maybe some public humilation could get justice for Hannah and her sisters!

Answer 1

Yet another example of why people should not go to backyard breeders / puppy mills. You could call and see if they will take your case.

Answer 2

Judge Judy is pretty good when it comes to animals. Where near Rochester was this? It wasn't in the Medina/Albion area was it???

But, you are going to need more proof for court than just some vet bills. First off, I am assuming you bought these dogs from this person, and if you knew she was a puppymill...shame on you. I would start with calling the SPCA and work on having this woman shut down.

Do you have any paperwork from this woman stating that she would guarantee the dogs from any genetic problems? Mills/BYB's usually do not guarantee anything. (given that, I'm not sure if anything can be done) Do you have receipts that you even purchased the dogs from her? Do you have phone records (taped conversations would be great) and proof that you sent certified letters to the woman asking for reimbursment for vet bills?
You may want to even contact a lawyer for a free consultation to see if you have enough evidence to be able to take the woman to court.

But my first step would be to call the SPCA on her.

Answer 3

First of all, you took a big risk by getting a puppy from a place like that to begin with. Don't buy puppies from a puppy mill, there is a lot of inbreeding going on resulting in more issues and genetic faults in the puppies. Second if the conditions are really bad there, then I would report them to the SPCA or Humane Society.

Answer 4

unless you can honestly prove she was running a puppy mill, (i.e. news broadcast taping of an official organization stating and acknowledging of there being a puppy mill and/or cruelty to animals), you, and anyone else buying a dog from them are going to have severe problems proving any case against them in court. a judge is not going to have any evidence other than substantial vet bills stating that you just have buyers remorse. why don't you try calling your local SPCA in your area? ask if they know about the awful breeding habits the people you bought your dog from have? if they do already know about this problem, ask if you could get a written affidavit from one of them stating this is indeed a puppy mill, and several if not all of their dogs do indeed suffer from malnutrition, bad teeth, and other things. it would be excellent, if you could ask one of the SPCA officers to come with you to court, so the judge can cross examine them, this way your story would look excellent to a judge, if they indeed are a puppy mill, and the SPCA thinks so too. the SPCA might also have a different avenue for you to go down before you go straight to court. court is really supposed to be the last possible option. if you bring all your papers with you to the SPCA, and tell them what horrible luck you're having with these awful people, I cant imagine they would just ignore you. if you cant find the SPCA for the county you live in, (it might be the nearest major city, or you might have to resort to talking to your local humane society about it, but they will probably be able to help you too, in giving you advice, and investigating weather or not they're a puppy mill.) if you are still having problems locating exactly who to call, email me with a major city, or the county and state you live in, and I can email you back a phone number for you to call.

the other major problem you would have in court, is even though these problems started 6 months ago, if you got the dogs and brought them home a good couple months ago, the judge has to consider there might be someone in your home, or someone who has access to your dogs, or a bad living condition in your own home, (the judge has to consider all options) that might have caused these outcomes. a reputable puppy breeder or vet might have an answer to this question, of weather or not your dog had this problem from the puppy mill, if he could have developed it over a half a year through the course of time, or if he could have been born with this genetic defect, if your vet has the ability, and technology, I would recommend he take DNA samples of your dogs (although it will cost you) and find out if your dogs were indeed born with this defect. if you can prove this puppy mill sold you these dogs, knowing they had this defect, you might even be able to ask for punitive damages in court, they fraudulently sold you these dogs. the problem is, if you do get awarded money in court for these dogs, you will have to give these dogs back to the puppy mill. you cannot get your money back for the dogs in court, and at the same time keep the dogs. even if the puppy mill did indeed house them inhumanely, the court would at best give you your money back, and order you to return the dogs that you paid them for. in a court of law, these dogs (although living creatures) are still only merchandise at the end of the day.

so dont call judge judy until you're sure you have all your ducks in a row, and then consider calling judge judy.

Answer 5

Well, DUH! Buy from a better breeder, its an easy solution.

Not all health problems are the breeders fault. Toys are NOTORIOUS for having crappy teeth. Maybe you should have been brushing their teeth and had dental cleanings done. The breeder has NO CONTROL over their care once a puppy is sold! And an ovarian polyp is the breeders fault???

Having 60 dogs DOES NOT make her a puppy mill. I know people who have large numbers of dogs and they get better care than some homes that have one. Numbers have nothing to do with it. If you are not happy with your purchases, QUIT GOING BACK!!!

Answer 6

What is the reason that caused your dogs teeth to turn black? How can you prove it is the breeders fault that this has happened to your puppies? You need to be able to prove it was the breeders fault that something that he did damaged your pups before you and your brother got them, otherwise it will look like you. What did your vet have to say? Sorry about your puppies.

Answer 7

It sounds like you have a valid case. Be sure to get as much paperwork as you can (and a witness). Whether or not you want to go on TV is another matter, but if you feel you want to do it that way, go ahead. Judy is an animal lover and she has no time for animal abuse, or for people who take advantage of buyers. You can get more information from Judy's site (below):

Answer 8

Judge Judy is an idiot.But you should be able to sue these people.Also-you need to turn them into animal control so they can check the place out.
In this state you have up to one year after purchase to bring suit.Hope you have your receipt for your dog cos you'll have to prove the purchase price in court.And you can only sue these people if they guaranteed either verbally or in writing the pups were healthy.

Answer 9

Yes, I'd call a judge. I'd also call your local law enforcement and tell them about the puppy mill. Good job in saving 2, but why save 2 when you can save a lot more!

Answer 10

Why would you purchase a dog from a puppy mill? And why so many? Unless you signed a contract guarenteed health and no genetic faults, you are probably out of luck.