Bought a sick puppy, Help!

[bettyboop1]

Hello, I have been trying to find out what I can do about a puppy I bought online and had shipped to me. From Austin, Indiana. There was not a health certificate with her. Nothing from the vet about health. I had the puppy 3 days, waiting for the vet to check her out when she started throwing up. Before I could get to the vet, she went into a coma of some sort, vet gave her glucose and she was up and around, then had a seizure, medicated her for that. But she stil died in the middle of the night, in the vet's care. Now the breeder is trying to blame me, he agreed to rplace the puppy with a full grown dog. When I saw pictures I declined the offer as she didn't look like the breed I bought[chihuahua]. He now says no refund, and that I have to take her and pay for shipping also. There wasn't a clause about refunds in our agreement which just was a letter by email. Can I get any advice from breeders out there on what I can do? Any help would be very much appreciated.

[Fran27]

You can't do much unfortunately. You can fill a complain about them but that's about all you can do, those breeders sure know how to protect themselves. I'm sorry for your pup. If you decide to get the adult dog, watch out, my guess is that the dog might be sick or have behavior problems also, coming from such a place.

[Juicy]

you can find healthy chihuahuas at http://www.petfinder.com

[lucille]

Betty:

Many states have consumer protection laws. If you buy an animal, there is an implied warranty of health unless you specifically disclaim it, and in some states you cannot disclaim your protections without an attorney.
Of course you will have to show that you took good care of the dog while it was in your care, it would help to have the vet's opinion on the actual cause of death: if it was illness, the incubation period of many illnesses is longer than 3 days.

I think you should call an attorney, many will give a free consult for small matters and then decide if they will represent you after the consult; in addition many states have small claims courts for exactly these kinds of incidents; generally the filing fee is small.

It is amazing how many people change their tune after being contacted by an attorney: do not threaten this person with legal consequences, either have an attorney talk to them or have the court papers for small claims served on them.

[smkie]

i know it is hindsight..but please never ever purchase a dog this way. A true good breeder wouldn't sell sight unseen to you either ....you want to see the mother and father if possible..make sure they have all their shots before you pick the puppy out..and spend a great deal of time watching them making sure their gums are good and pink, the weight right and their coat glossy. I am so sorry for your loss and even sorry for the poor pup that didn't get a good start. I hope you can expose this breeder in anyway possible so that others do not make the same mistake and other puppies do not suffer the same fate. please check rescue sights as well..petfinder.com is a wonderful way to find a puppy that needs you.

[Ash47]

I echo 100 times everything smkie just said. Why not look around here and get info on how to correctly buy a puppy, especially a purposely created one. But, petfinder.com will be your best bet.
Have you ever owned a Chihuahua?

[smkie]

wish i could find the thread about how Love4 pits works with her clients..there is the supreme perfect way to be in the business and do it right. If i find it i will come back..and post.
i worked for a year in a animal warehouse. I stayed because i thought i was doing the animals a bit of good in their hellish situation. It would break your heart to see what they are put thru. Don't even buy a bird or reptile that way....ever. They are kept on antibiotics and in severely stressful situations so that they are so weak by the time they get to the owner who doens't know that they have been fed a steady diet of antibiotics and so it is stopped..they instantly get sick and a great deal die. i figured for every bird that actually made it to the store three died along the way. Shipped too tight..not fed properly..then the puppies came and that is a whole other story i never want to remember..that was when i left for good.

[WES]

Sorry about your pup. You might call here http://www.troubleshooter.com/. It is a website for a syndicated radio talk show. That deals with consumer complaints. I have never called myself but on the show, Tom Martino (the host) often gets complaints resolved. Might be worth a try. Good luck.

[Amstaffer]

I am sorry for the little puppy and for your loss.

IMHO....I would never have a puppy shipped. The Rescues and Shelters are overflowing even in your area (every area )

[smkie]

there was another member that went through a similar situation. His puppy was sick and cost him i believe a thousand dollars or around that before he began to recover. He could have sent the pup back but that would have been a death sentence, i don't think it would have made the trip. Pet stores, and sight unseen is not the way to go..even if you have to cut your losses it could have been worse. Some of these weak puppies can ring up gross amounts at the vet, the customer's emotions to strong to reject the pup, the breeder claiming no responsibility, and the dog doesn't always make it in the long run.