PET SHOP PUP: DEAD after 2 weeks! *HAVE I GOT A CASE?*?

Question

2 weeks ago I purchased a beautiful 6 week old Maltese pup from a pet shop for $1200. It was an impulse buy - I was there to buy food for my other dog, a 7 year old Westie, when I found "Robbie". I immediately got him and introduced him to Tracey - everything was fine. I was told that he had 2 sets of shots, was wormed and microchipped. They gave me a [FAKE] certificate saying he was vacc., wormed and all that. I was told I would get his APR papers within 3 days - no papers. Basically, 2 weeks after the purchase and $2500 in vet bills, Robbie died of Liver Shunt. The shop lied to me about his vaccinations, worming (he had worms and diarrhea when we got home) and after 15 minutes of scanning Robbie, NO MC! I found out after heaps of phone calls that the "vet" who signed the certificate, Dr. Simon C. McYilda, wasn't a certified vet anymore. (continued)
*I now know all about pet shop dogs so anybody giving me negative talk how I shouldn't have got him etc. will be reported.

All I want is a sincere apology from that pet shop and to be reimbursed.

They offered me a $50 gift voucher for anything in their shop and tore the voucher in the manager's face. I was horrified when I went back there.

They had a 12 hour return guarantee on him and a 3 day health guarantee which says 'Covers all veterinary BILLS resulting in a cost of less than $200' or something like that.

Have I got a case on my hands or not?

Answer 1

The warning signs were there in this purchase, but you chose to ignore them


The first clue something is fishy is no 6 week old puppy would have a second set of vaccinations that alone should have sent up red flags, second fishy part is registration papers usually are not processed that fast as the seller has to sign the papers over into you then send them in and the registry then processes new papers naming you as the registered owner. Even if a vet had examined the pup earlier they often do not do blood work so liver shunt could be missedin any puppy wellness exam, .it usually does not show up till 6 months of age so maybe a blessing in that you never had 4 months to become really attached/bonded first to the pup or your pain would have been much greater. Liver shunt is a genetic disorder and genetic health issues is a risk you assumed whenever you purchase a puppy from non reputable source some genetic problems can take 2 years to become known.


Did you get a health guarantee when you purchased the pup, most require you see a vet within so many days, did you do that with in the specified time frame? If not your guarantee could be voided Most guarantees offer the purchase price refund only if you choose to do extensive vetting instead of returning the sick pup, the vet costs become your responsibility as you has the option of returning the pup before going ahead with the vet bills. Sort of like staying to work overtime when you weren't asked to stay and put in extra hours in , you can't expect to get paid for it afterward
You can try going to court but don't expect to win anything more than your purchase price back

Pet store themselves do not do the vaccinations or health check, they simply recieve paperwork that comes with the pup, so they themselves did not lied they are simply stating what is on the paperwork, so you may need to sue to broker instead of the store and they are likely not in the same state you bought the pup in. If the petstore is willing to give you back your purchase price , you are probably better off in terms of financial recovery to accept that, than hiring a lawyer or going to small claims and having them take their cuts and accept it as a lesson learned the hard way

You may want to contact the state veterinary board about the "vet" to report that he is practicing without a licence
should able to find here http://www.aavsb.org/DLR/DLR.aspx


I am not trying to be harsh or put you down, I also had to learn the hard way at a cost of several thousand had the pup for 9 months so was also a huge emotional loss as well and believe me it became a worthwhile lesson and still serving me well some 20 years later with my newest addition and also with my 10 year who is still in excellent health the only unroutine vet cost all these years was for an injury when she was around 6 months old, they more than have made up financially in good health and genetic soundness for the $'s I lost learning the hard way, had I not learned in such a harsh manner, I may still be buying pups from less than reputable breeders and be paying for knee and hip surgeries or having to deal with other genetic health issues, Hoby' death was not in vain or wasted and his spirit lives through the other pups that I bought afterward because of my memories of him.

I am sorry about your loss

Answer 2

I work in a pet store, and I can not tell you how infurriating it is that 95% of pet stores run their business like this.

Here is the legality of it, at least according to Canadian Law:

Pets are considered "product", a pet sold with a pre-existing condition and it is not disclosed is the same as a manufacturer's defect in say a TV. The Pet Store is legally obligated to replace or refund the money, unless you signed a contract stating something else regarding refunds.

Vacc. certificates are legal documents, you can have them charged with falsifying them, the phoney vet as well.

Someone there obviously knows that the business is being run this way, so I wouldn't hold my breath for an apology.

Honestly, contact a lawyer, take them to the cleaners.

There are some of us out there trying to change the industry and make it safe for consumers, operaters like this only damage a badly damaged industry. I won't even start on the effects on the animals and people.

Legally you are entitled to a refund for this case.

The only "defense" I can give the pet store, is that they very well could have de-wormed the puppy and either a) didn't give strong enough dose or b) there after brought in more puppies and (with worms) and didn't de-worm your puppy a second time. Either way they're either to ignorant or corrupt to sell animals.

NOTE:

Just re-read your post, at 6 weeks old it is up and down if the puppy should have had ANY shots at all. Shots before 6 weeks are redundant and can make the dog sick. Either way, its unethical to sell such young pups, unfortunatley, not illegal.

Answer 3

The simple fact that your pup was a mere 6 weeks old is a case in many states for a law suit, but I would guess that in your own state, they haven't legislated that pups should be a minimum of 8 weeks...check into that, though.

I work at Petco. I see so many cases of pups coming in from the nearby Petland who are severely underweight, whose owners report that the pups had kennel cough, had Parvo, had other diseases. I simply can't believe it.

What I wish is for these people to get together and file a Class Action suit against Petland, or whatever the pet store where you got your pup from, and stop these completely heartless people from ever again having a living animal in their facility.

The only thing I can compare the abuse of helplesss animals is this: When you go to any other store, they present their 'product' to its best advantage. If you entered say a Wal Mart store and they had their clothes laying on the floor, had broken boxes of housewares...would you even consider buying the product??? Of course not. But people by damaged pups every day from pet stores.

It isn't that Petland, etc., can't properly care for their animals. They, IMO, think that if the pups appear near death, people will be more willing to buy them to 'save the life' of the pup.

In fact, the buyers only sentence the parents of said pup to producing yet another litter. The parents who live in hell on earth.

And the buyers, as you have discovered, get little recourse when they try to recoup anything from the damaged 'product' they purchased.

These pet stores who sell pups/kittens HAVE to be stopped.

Finally, I have to say that threatening to report people for stating the obvious is really idiotic on your part.

Answer 4

Report it to the Better Business Bureau.
Threaten them with a lawsuit and see if they will agree to compensate you...I doubt they will

Try to find other buyers of pups from that shop so you can do a class action suit. Ask other vets if they've had similar cases.

I'm sorry you had to find out the hard way, but glad the puppy is not suffering anymore.

Answer 5

I dont like court but If It was me I would go to court.You have a case for sure. See liver shunt is a genitic problem and being that its a pet shop that makes them even in more trouble.Make it a top priorty .I have been to small claims before and it was against a large company.Do it right away.Its not hard .I even bought a phone tapping box and a recorder and I recorded them on the phone .They settled out of court.Once they see the court pappers ect they might too. I went to court against spencers.I dont know if you have one out there .A dog is more important .Its a living baby with feelings and I would go to court just to make that clear.You dont have anything to loose.Small claims court does not like conter suite cases. I wouldnt worry about that.Also its cheap to go to small claims and you wont need a lawyer.Good luck

Answer 6

You should take all paperwork to a lawyer, but you should know all the facts before you go. Research shunts, as deworming and vaccinations don't have anything to do with what caused your pup to die. I am sorry for your loss, and it sounds like the pet shop needs to be put out of business....do what you can.

Answer 7

One more suggestion: contact every animal welfare organization in your area. Many of them have lawyers on retainer or some who will do work on a volunteer basis for them.

Most of those associations are committed to ending this kind of shameful pet trade. They might be glad for the opportunity to take on the case.

Those organizations have a wealth of legal resources and experience. It could be a big help... much easier than fighting this alone.

Best wishes.

Answer 8

You will need to review any contracts you signed with them when you purchased the puppy. Also, hold onto the paperwork you received, including the false certificate. You will want to contact your local court system to see about what it takes to conduct a civil trial. I believe you do have a case. You should be able to get a full refund plus coverage for the vet bills. Also, if you have the gift certificate, you should hold onto that as evidence that you did contact them after the incident and to show how they attempted to rectify the situation. Obviously, they did not do a good job.

Unfortunately, the loss of life, though tragic, can not in of itself be covered. You will not receive compensation for emotional suffering for the loss of the puppy. But you should be able to receive compensation for the $1200 pet shop purchase and the $2500 in vet bills.

Answer 9

Yes, you have a good case get a lawyer. You might even think of taking it to the news media in your area. The more people who do, it might just stop pet shops from selling puppies & kittens. I'm so sorry for all your heartache, go for mental anguish too. You go... Best of luck;^)

Answer 10

I would most definately say that yes, you do...Especially if you have physical evidence that they were lying about things...That's so sad that the puppy died...Poor thing...Definately get in touch with a lawyer...I bet, by the time you're done you can have the $1200 you paid for the pup, plus the $2500 in vet bills, and any other expenses you had to pay during the terrible ordeal...good luck!