The "puppy lemon law"

Discussion in 'Dog Chat' started by Jessi, Jul 21, 2012.

  1. Jessi

    Jessi Well-Known Member

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    If you bought a car that turned out to be a lemon, you can return it
    to the dealership for a refund. But what about a dog? Turns out, you can
    if you buy a sick dog from a California seller:
    The law, officially known as the Pet Breeder Warranty Act, applies
    to cases in which the purchased dog gets sick due to an illness or disease
    that existed within 15 days of purchase. It also applies if problems
    arise in the first year after the sale because of a congenital or hereditary
    condition.

    If you want to keep the dog, the law entitles you get your money
    back from the seller plus up to an additional 50% of the purchase price
    for veterinary costs.

    The law also allows you to return the dog, like a piece of merchandise,
    and get a refund or a different dog of equivalent value. Still, you’d
    be entitled to reimbursement of "reasonable" veterinary costs.

    http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-five-dogs-20120701,0,3527259.story

    Well huh. It makes sense and is pretty awesome, but I never would've thought about them putting in a law for it!
     
    Jessi, Jul 21, 2012
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  2. Jessi

    Melody Well-Known Member

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    Wow! I live in California and I did not know about this law. It makes sense as there are some unscrupulous sellers out there.

    I would hope most people would opt to get their money back and the 50% of the veterinary costs. I would hate to think these sick dogs would end up with the same idiot that tried to sell them in the first place. I know I could not return a dog, even an ill one. I'm attached in about the first 30 seconds.
     
    Melody, Jul 21, 2012
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  3. Jessi

    zararina Well-Known Member

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    I agree that better to just refund the money and get the half of the veterinary expenses than return the dog.
    Overall, I think that law is good or pro-dog lovers. ;)
     
    zararina, Jul 21, 2012
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  4. Jessi

    pugskjj Well-Known Member

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    I can not imagine returning a dog as if it were a coat that didn't fit! I do agree this law needs to be put into effect throughout the US due to unscrupolous and backyard breeders. However anyone that returns a dog is undeserving of that dog anyway; would you return your adopted baby when you find out she has a congenital defect?
     
    pugskjj, Jul 21, 2012
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  5. Jessi

    Jessi Well-Known Member

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    This is one that's actually caused conflict with friends of mine. Some of them have "test driven" dogs by keeping them for a week or two and then returning them when they didn't like how messy they were or they didn't get along with their current pets or they realized they couldn't afford to feed them, etc. The excuses..... I just.... I can't wrap my mind around it, but I'm sure that's because I see them more like people than clothes, ya know? I'm sure everyone here can relate pretty well to that, heh.
     
    Jessi, Jul 21, 2012
    #5
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