Post by Brooke on Jan 21, 2004 18:03:53 GMT -5
Puppy Lemon Law Protects Pet, Owner
Law Set To Protect Consumers From High, Unexpected Vet Bills
POSTED: 4:27 p.m. EDT August 20, 2003
UPDATED: 4:34 p.m. EDT August 20, 2003
NEW YORK -- If you've ever had a family pet, you know how easy it is to become attached to it. But what happens when things go wrong and the pet gets sick?
The law is known as the Puppy Lemon Law. Like your new car should be worry free, your pet should be the same.
Jennifer found out the true meaning of puppy love when she found Harvey.
"He was, honestly, the cutest dog I've seen," she said "And I fell in love with him right away."
The 5-month-old pooch cost $250 from a pet shop. Since then, caring for Harvey has become very expensive because of veterinarian bills.
Jennifer says she's spent over $800 caring for Harvey. Most of the cost has been for a vet to treat Harvey for itchiness.
"He's on vitamin E for his skin. You know, he's on a lot of various medications for his parasites," Jennifer said. "I've been to the vet four or five times since I purchased this puppy, which was about a month ago. He had the cortizone shot for scratching, and he is in a lot of discomfort."
The Puppy Lemon Law is set up to:
Protect consumers when a cat or dog is unfit for purchase due to illness or infectious disease, and,
To help consumers qualify for a refund or a replacement animal. To do that, the buyer must obtain a veterinary certification that the animal is unfit within 14 business days of the purchase, and return the pet to the seller within three business days of obtaining certification.
Although the law is solid, the decision is difficult when dealing with a pet. Fortunately, the puppy lemon law has a provision allowing you to keep the pet, and have it treated, and you can be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses. Reasonable can mean many things, so document everything.
Law Set To Protect Consumers From High, Unexpected Vet Bills
POSTED: 4:27 p.m. EDT August 20, 2003
UPDATED: 4:34 p.m. EDT August 20, 2003
NEW YORK -- If you've ever had a family pet, you know how easy it is to become attached to it. But what happens when things go wrong and the pet gets sick?
The law is known as the Puppy Lemon Law. Like your new car should be worry free, your pet should be the same.
Jennifer found out the true meaning of puppy love when she found Harvey.
"He was, honestly, the cutest dog I've seen," she said "And I fell in love with him right away."
The 5-month-old pooch cost $250 from a pet shop. Since then, caring for Harvey has become very expensive because of veterinarian bills.
Jennifer says she's spent over $800 caring for Harvey. Most of the cost has been for a vet to treat Harvey for itchiness.
"He's on vitamin E for his skin. You know, he's on a lot of various medications for his parasites," Jennifer said. "I've been to the vet four or five times since I purchased this puppy, which was about a month ago. He had the cortizone shot for scratching, and he is in a lot of discomfort."
The Puppy Lemon Law is set up to:
Protect consumers when a cat or dog is unfit for purchase due to illness or infectious disease, and,
To help consumers qualify for a refund or a replacement animal. To do that, the buyer must obtain a veterinary certification that the animal is unfit within 14 business days of the purchase, and return the pet to the seller within three business days of obtaining certification.
Although the law is solid, the decision is difficult when dealing with a pet. Fortunately, the puppy lemon law has a provision allowing you to keep the pet, and have it treated, and you can be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses. Reasonable can mean many things, so document everything.