Gingis' Mom~ From a legal perspective your rights and responsibilities will depend on the terms of the deposit agreement. Is the agreement regarding the deposit in writing?
If the buyers understood that once they put the deposit down there is a contract for purchase then the puppy IS theirs at that poiht and you are caring for it for them. If the deposit was simply a "prerequisite to the contract" and you made sure they knew that you, as the breeder, still owned the pup and that they may not get it, then you can certainly cancel the agreement at this point.
Deposits are not a bad hing in and of themselves but the "terms" of the deposit and the contract prerquisites need to be spellled out and agreed to so there are no misunderstandings like there seem to be in this instance.
I know that I can fall in love with a puppy instantly and then if I dream about it for several weeks, I fall more deeply in love so I don't think the fact that the buyers only spent 30 minues means they aren't attached to the pup. I am sure they are scared for their "baby" and they want to do what is best.
I hope the puppy gets better nad everything works out for everyone in this matter. Feel free to PM me if you have Qs about my advice here. |