Refund or not?

Question

I just purchased a Rottweiler puppy on 04 may 2007, well he was fine until yesterday. He started to vomit, so I took him to the vet and he was diagnosed with parvo. Well the breeder gives you a 3 business day health guarantee. She refuses to abide by it saying I waited too long. i feel like I did not because sat and sunday are not business days so I caught it on the 3rd day. Now she refuses my emails and phone calls, she said she has no more puppies to replace him with and she does not do refunds. So what do you think I should do?

Answer 1

Parvo incubates for about 10 days, so obviously the puppy came to you with Parvo. If she wasn't such an irresponsible, scamming twit, she'd know that and own up to it.

If it actually states "3 business days" in your guarantee/contract paperwork, you have a small claims court suit (for what it's worth).

Did she state that she would give a refund if the puppy's health was compromised within the three days? If so, she owes you one whether she "does" them or not.

I'd much rather go after her for the refund than wait for another puppy. This person's conditions must be horrible if she's selling puppies with Parvo. You don't want another from her.

How much leverage you have really depends on what kind of paperwork you received with the puppy.

More proof that it really does pay to buy from a responsible breeder.

Answer 2

Hello..not sure there is much you can do..you've learned a valuable lesson a GOOD BREEDER would guarantee the puppy even for a month or 2 ..this is a BAD BREEDER & NO WAY would you want another puppy, chances are they will all die from the Parvo..she does need to be reported, if the dogs are AKC or CKC registered...report her to them for sure..it's not about the $ it's about a BAD UNCARING BREEDER, who cares more about $ then the dogs !! Take Care :) PS ..you did nothing wrong..some dogs do live thru the Parvo, but not many..no matter how soon you get them to a Vet..so that is false information, out of 10 our puppy was the only one to survive Parvo, it's very hard for them to survive..almost more like a miracle !!

Answer 3

Did you buy this puppy on a written contract or just by word of mouth? If you have a written contract then you will have go abide by that. Did she specify business days or just three days? You may not be able to do a thing but have this as a lesson learned. A reputable breeder will only sell puppies on contracts and they will stand behind puppies that they sell but I dont know of anyone that will sell a pup with a garauntee against parvo. Did the puppy have all its shots prior to you taking it home? Sounds like a bad deal to me. Good luck

Answer 4

This sounds like a legal case to me! Parvo as you probably know by now is extremely expensive and in most cases is fatal. Sounds like she hasnt been vaccinating the pups. I would get all your info on the pup. All the guarantee paper work and everything you got from her. Then get your phone bill printed so you have record of when you called her. Have your vet write you a statement as to the condition and future of the pup. In most cases if you win in court you can only receive the money you paid for the pup. Not all the vet bills. Good luck! Also if your dog has AKC or other registration papers you can report the breeder to the company and they may make note to future buyers that she is not a ligitimate breeder.

Answer 5

Parvo takes 2 weeks before symptoms start to show. I learned this when someone on one of my groups bought a Chihuahua puppy and just over a week later it fell sick. You need to start treating the dog right away or it will probably die, but you need to speak with your vet and then a lawyer. I know suing was the only way Tam got anywhere with the breeder. She did indeed win in court though and the breeder had to pay all of Lola's vet bills.

Good luck. I'm praying for your puppy.

Answer 6

parvo doesn't develop overnight; also, your area can now be contaminated by the virus so not only does the pup need to be treated by the area so not to reinfect; the breeder may give you 3 days but the law in your area may be different and since the law supercedes her policy, seek out the law in the area; a breeder would not be able to be in contradiction to the law; did you sign an agreement or a waiver??? Also, you may want to contact the authorities, dog warden in your area for advice and direction to insure that she doesn't continuaously infect dogs by unclean breeding areas and practices; you may be able to sue to her for the vet bills etc ; investigate all your options and look to your vet for advice on how to treat, protect and disinfect the area already used by puppy. Don't let someone scare you out of your rights and the right of the puppy to not be health neglected by the breeder. Good Luck

Answer 7

Personally, I think she should give you a refund.

But if her policy says 3 business days, then she has to honor it.

Keep bugging her, though, I wouldn't let up. I start contacting organizations like better business bureau. Also, does she claim to be part of some club like AKC, or some breeders oraganization. I would tell her that I'm contacting them, also, and then do it.

For future purchases involving animals, breeders usually give more than a 3 day guarantee. Usually, it's like a year. They also provide historical health history of the sire and B---h (female dog). Also, take the puppy to a vet as soon as you get it.

Answer 8

If she is a business owner report her to the BBB and also contact the Humane Society advise them. She should have to pay for all the puppy's medical bills. Unless she runs a business Mon thru Sun then Sat & Sun count as business days. If all else fails take her to small claims court. There might be other puppies out there from her litter that have contracted parvo. It is a devasting sickness for any puppy.

Answer 9

Depends on what state you live in as to your legal options.

Many states have a puppy lemon law that requires the breeder to pay for vet bills related to some care, including genetic disorders, ie- hip dysplasia.

Call your state attorney. They will be able help you from this point. Just make sure your vet is documenting his bills, and that you document your contacts with the breeder (registered mail).

I hope your puppy gets better.

Answer 10

The breeder should be totally responsible for the bills or replacement. I had the same problem and the breeder I got my dog from paid the bills. If the breeder is an AKC breeder you can always threaten to report their practices to the AKC and their breeding license can be revoked. Well their puppies can no longer be registered by the AKC which depriates their value. The SPCA told me that when I called them, because I wanted them to look into the breeder for having unhealthy animals. Sometimes just causing some noise helps alot. or threaten to take them to small claims court especially if you have it in writting.