Is the breeder responsable for vet bills?

Question

hello, i have a question. We recientally purchased a puppy who ended up at the vet 2 days later and died two days after that. We are deep in vet bills now, and the vet says that she was sick before we bought her. My question is is the breeder responsable for atleast half of the vet bills? She has offered the money for the puppy OR another puppy (the vet said the rest would most lilkey be ill soon to with the same thing) but thats it.

Answer 1

First of all, , I'm sorry for your loss. I know what it's like to lose a puppy.

You said that she offered money or another dog? do you mean she offered to refund the money you paid for for the pup?

I think it depends on the contract you signed , and you need to ask a a lawyer. Laws can vary from state to state.

Good luck, and I'm am so sorry for your loss.

Answer 2

Morly, the breeder should make the death of your puppy right however... Unless you have a contract written or verbal preferably witnessed ,this is a civil court issue and I would think that you have a very good chance of winning if your vet states that the pup was sick when you bought it. In person would be best but a written statement by your vet might work as second chose. If there's a contract of any kind involving the bill of sale, you have a grace period of 72 hours to change your mind and take back the puppy. I don't know if the "Lemon law" act would fit this sale and I know it sounds stupid but ??? you could be laughing all the way to the bank. I hope this helps you because I've seen this before and the breeder walked on this.

Answer 3

I bought my female Husky from a breeder who owned a kennel. She gave me a contract that stated that if I took the puppy to the vet within 48 hours and I was found to have any serious problems, she would take the puppy back and give me a refund or another puppy from her kennel. If after this, during the first week after I bought her, the puppy died of parvo or any of the other diseases on a specific list, then as long as I provided her with a death certificate stating the cause of death, she would give me a refund or another puppy. I however didn't have any problems with my dog, so I never had to deal with this issue.

I purposly allowed this dog and my male Husky to breed (I guess according to alot of people on here I am a backyard breeder, though I have only done that once) and when I sold these puppies, I had a folder on each puppy including their registration papers, record of shots and worming, record of flea treatments, weights done weekly since birth, and a contract that said pretty much what the contract I got on my female said, but also saying that I would be willing to take the puppy back, if at any time the new owner could not or would not care for the puppy any longer.

If you didn't have a contract with this breeder, then I don't really think that there is much you can do, but I am not in any way a breeder of any type, so I don't know the legalities of buying a dog from a breeder.

Answer 4

I don't know why your pet died but you have 72 hours to take your pet to a vet to be looked at. If the dog was deathly ill you should get all the money for the vet bills plus the cost of the dog. The breeder should've never let the puppy leave. I would not get another from that breeder again. And be weary of other breeders. Make sure that their facility is clean and that all dogs look good. Make sure they are clean and don't have sores all over also. If it is a coated breed make sure all the dogs look well groomed. I had a bad experience with a breeder before and now I am extreamly careful. There are alot of good breeders out there and I am sorry your adventure turned out wrong. Sue them and get your MONEY BACK. ALL OF IT

Answer 5

I think that she should be responsible for part if not all of your vet expenses if the vet can properly diagnose that the puppy had been sick longer than 2 days. Call your local courts and see about the proceedings to take that vet to civil court so you can get your money back! I bet you have a really strong chance of winning as long as you have the vet there or at least proper documentation.

Answer 6

Yes, the breeder is responsible for the health of your puppy until the time it lives with you. If she is offering your money back or an exchange for another puppy, I'd take it. If you don't feel comfortable about the health of another puppy, ask her to go with you (and pay) to get it checked by a vet.

Answer 7

The breeder may be at least partially responsible for bills incurred plus replacement cost of the puppy if:

1) you had a sales contract with a health guarantee (which if you bought from a responsible breeder you would have)

or

2) there are puppy lemon laws in your state

or
3) it can be proven she knew she sold you a sick puppy

Answer 8

What does your WRITTEN contract say?

Was there a WRITTEN health guarantee?

If the puppy was above $500, in most jurisdictions, you have to have a written contract to enforce a breach of contract.

If it was less, your remedy in small claims court would be (1) the price of the puppy and (2) the bills.

Why not just split the cost of the bills and take the money for the purchase price? If you can't negotiate that, take the money for the purchase price and learn a lesson.

AND DO NOT BUY FROM A BACKYARD BREEDER AGAIN!

Only buy from a breeder who belongs to the breed club for that breed, gives written contract about the puppy and follows the Breeders Code of Ethics.

Answer 9

well in my opinion the breeder should pay the vet bills and also replace the pup or the value of the pup.
if you do decide to take another pup have it vet checked before you take it home and ask the breeder to be present at the vets and that the breeder pay for the visit if they refuse then i would just take my money and go elsewhere to get a puppy.
I am going to be having shih tzu pups the first week of dec. and all of our pups will be vet checked and have their needles and also have a health guarantee with them.
good luck and i am sorry to hear what happened to your puppy.

Answer 10

Do not get another puppy from that breeder. You need to look at the adoption contract when you purchased the dog to see what she is liable for.

Good luck and I'm sorry about your puppy :(