Health Problem with Dog just purchased from Breeder
- Thread starter sbfish
- Start date
I will absolutely concede to you Hounded, that talking to the breeder first is the right first step. It is definitely what I myself would do first. However, if the breeder refuses to take at least part of the responsibility for these expenses, you should have all the rights and privileges of the law to aid you if you have been financially burdened unncessarily. In that case, it would not be considered sue happy, though. It would be considered recompense for an expense you should have not incurred. But hey who knows? Maybe the breeder will recognize that. If not then that is what the law is for.
However, it does look as though the breeder has made up her mind
However, it does look as though the breeder has made up her mind
Life would be easier if we lived in a world of bartering chickens for pigs like the old days, eh? It sure would put a lot of lawyers out of business. But we don't live in that kind of world. We pay money for things and when things go wrong early on, we want our money back or refunds for costs. Because puppy is a living thing, it makes things more emotionally complex sometimes though.
You paid the vet bills and believe you are entitled to recompense.
When you get the form, I would be happy to help you complete it. So now you really have to decide whether you want to do that.
When you get the form, I would be happy to help you complete it. So now you really have to decide whether you want to do that.
Dont forget a ethical breeder was thought of be the recent American Bulldog bust. They can seem ethical or start off ethical, but dont be fooled by websites.
I got to ask did you go get the puppy in person?
I ask this cause breeders will SHIP over states lines sick puppies more so then sell locally so they cant be sued easily.
Even thou I have never had this any disease I would refund full amount.
I got to ask did you go get the puppy in person?
I ask this cause breeders will SHIP over states lines sick puppies more so then sell locally so they cant be sued easily.
Even thou I have never had this any disease I would refund full amount.
I think I also would want to avoid court,,and I also agree with treading lightly since the dog is still in her name, money you've paid for her or not, that dog is legally owned by the breeder so she could come in and yank her out of your home no questions asked.
I guess I would probably do just what you are doing, but then again, I guess if I were you, I'd think long and hard about what I wanted...do you really want to keep this dog?? If so, I'd probably ask for 1/2 the vet bills at this point, and chalk it up to a learned experience. If she refuses, I'd ask her since I PAID for her, transfer ownership NOW.
But then again, you have a contract that your not sure what it states,,I'd get a copy of that and start reading..Good luck!
diane
I guess I would probably do just what you are doing, but then again, I guess if I were you, I'd think long and hard about what I wanted...do you really want to keep this dog?? If so, I'd probably ask for 1/2 the vet bills at this point, and chalk it up to a learned experience. If she refuses, I'd ask her since I PAID for her, transfer ownership NOW.
But then again, you have a contract that your not sure what it states,,I'd get a copy of that and start reading..Good luck!
diane
I definitely want to keep her and in my letter I said my preference is to split the vet bills 50/50, but if she still wants to barter a puppy to me in the future at the full cost of the vet bills I would accept this and want it in writing. I am going to give her a call and request she send the contract ASAP.
RR and FK have some very good points. I would think LONG and hard about this before I would take the breeder to court. Exhaust all other avenues, (face to face meeting, phone calls, letters) then continue to think about this.
RR is right, if you sue the breeder your relationship is over. I don't know if this matters to you or not, but it sounds like you are supposed to have future dealings with this breeder, so a good relationship may be important. The dog is still in the breeder's name, and you have already agreed to turn the dog over to her for shows. Who's to say the dog will ever come back to your home after the first time you drop her off for a show? Until the dog is in your name, I wouldn't push to hard.
Personally I think a 50/50 split isn't unreasonable, the dog came to you with a problem brewing, but you made the decisions on what vet care to get for her. I don't think it's fair to try to hold the breeder 100% financially responsible for your medical decisions. I would also go back to the intial vet who saw her though, a proper diagnosis might have avoided most of this problem.
Also be aware that things may not go your way in court. You need to be prepared to loose the dog and/or have to pay any costs associated with the breeder having to go to court.
Finally, nothing against the OP, but we do only have 1 side of the story. I'm basing my post/opinion on that side only.
RR is right, if you sue the breeder your relationship is over. I don't know if this matters to you or not, but it sounds like you are supposed to have future dealings with this breeder, so a good relationship may be important. The dog is still in the breeder's name, and you have already agreed to turn the dog over to her for shows. Who's to say the dog will ever come back to your home after the first time you drop her off for a show? Until the dog is in your name, I wouldn't push to hard.
Personally I think a 50/50 split isn't unreasonable, the dog came to you with a problem brewing, but you made the decisions on what vet care to get for her. I don't think it's fair to try to hold the breeder 100% financially responsible for your medical decisions. I would also go back to the intial vet who saw her though, a proper diagnosis might have avoided most of this problem.
Also be aware that things may not go your way in court. You need to be prepared to loose the dog and/or have to pay any costs associated with the breeder having to go to court.
Finally, nothing against the OP, but we do only have 1 side of the story. I'm basing my post/opinion on that side only.