How do you go about reporting a breeder?

[mypreciouspups]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Florida law requires a health certificate for puppies sold within the state:

828.29. Dogs and cats transported or offered for sale; health requirements; consumer guarantee

(1) (b) For each dog offered for sale within the state, the tests, vaccines, and anthelmintics required by this section must be administered by or under the direction of a veterinarian, licensed by the state and accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, who issues the official certificate of veterinary inspection. The tests, vaccines, and anthelmintics must be administered before the dog is offered for sale in the state, unless the licensed, accredited veterinarian certifies on the official certificate of veterinary inspection that to inoculate or deworm the dog is not in the best medical interest of the dog, in which case the vaccine or anthelmintic may not be administered to that particular dog. Each dog must receive vaccines and anthelmintics against the following diseases and internal parasites:

I only had one litter here, but I knew I had to have it done.. thanks for posting this.. so really in florida she did do something wrong.. and that alone means christina has a case...

[kosoma]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I was just trying to answer the OP's question about how to report a breeder. The Humane Society is one option.

Oh, I see.....just who you can report to in general. Duh. Sorry, I must have had a brain fart.

[kosoma]

Originally Posted by PrestigeousYT

........It sounds if this breeder is trying to work with you. I do think she should have had the vet check done before the pup being sold but as far as being neglectful in the puppy care it doesn't sound like she was other than not getting the actual vet check before leaving.

Why could I not say this as succintly?

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

The breeder and vet tech did nothing illegal, but certainly acted unethical. You should have gotten a vet check record even if the breeder gave the shots as many do..the murmur should have been listed...but slight murmurs tend to diappear..but you should have been given the option to decline the puppy.

I would certainly contact the vet who emplys the so called "vet tech" and tell them exactly what was said..and the fact she gave the vaccines...the vet will most likely take action if nothing else it cuts his bottom line of profits.
Good Luck

The breeder didn't do anything illegal by having the vet tech give the shots, but by florida law, she was required to get the health certificate form the vet. Since she didn't take them to the vet after having thier shots, they never for the checkup or the health certificate.

When she sold me the puppy, she told me he had been given a clean bill of health. The murmur is something he was born with, so had she taken him to the vet, he would have caught it.

My vet is going to be calling her previous vet who employes the vet tech and he said he will figure out what went on and will have them fax over any info they have on Capone. I'm going to be calling him as soon as they open to give him the info. I'm sure the Vet wouldn't like to hear tat one of his techs is telling his patients that they don't need a paper that is requires by florida law.

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by kosoma

Regarding the health certificate, unless Florida law is different than Oklahoma (which I realize is possible) the health certificate is not required for the sale of a puppy. It is required to ship the puppy. I often make vet trips for my parents, who breed Yorkies, and if we are not shipping the puppy we don't pay extra for the health certificate. All the certificate says is that they are fit to travel and not have a contagious disease. We DO, however, get the vet check and a letter on vet stationary stating the results.

Regarding the heart murmur itself, I don't have a lot of experience with it....only one puppy ever had one, we kept him and he is now 9 months old and it has disappeared. It is my understanding that they do often go away as the pup grows up.

I will be thinking of you; I hope this is resolved well and soon. As some have pointed out, although it sounds bad now, it may never actually be that much of a problem.

From what my vet told me, and the other 2 breeders that happened to be there for an appointment, it's required by florida law to get the health certificate to protect both the seller and the buyer from the lemon law. One of the breeders said that a lot of people don't get it, because it costs $100 per puppy, so to cut costs and make a quicker profit, they skip some steps. They also seemed very concerned that Capone got his shots form someone and they said he probably never saw a vet.

For now the vet said we're just going to moniter the heart murmur and his actions. Luckily my vet offers a puppy pack for the puppy's first year of life... it includes all of his shots, a year of heatrworm and flea prevention, and also unlimited vet visits. I'm already planning on taking him every other motnth just to the vet can listen to his murmur and then if he thinks it's getting worse, then we'll do a ultrasound. I'm just hoping he has a murmur that will close within 4 months to 1 year.

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by Jody Renfroe

I'm so sorry Capone is facing this. I know you're already in love with him. I hope you can at least get some help with his vet bills.

That's what I'm hoping for. I don't want to cause the breeder any trouble, and I definately don't want to have to report her. But she sold me a sick puppy for the same price she sold the healthy puppys. Fact of the matter is, that just isn't right.

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by GinosMommy

Christina, I hope Capone's health is okay besides the murmur. I also hope that goes away. Please keep us informed on the situation with the breeder, I wish you the best of luck!'
HUGS,
Stacy

Thanks so much! I will definately keep you all informed. Besides the murmur, the vet said he's in good shape

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by Lee B

I'm so sorry to hear that Capone is not perfectly healthy for you (and for HIM!). That really sucks ...

As your vet probably told you, in FL it's illegal to sell puppies less than 8 weeks old, and they have to have a health certificate (they're good for 30 days from the date of issuance). Shots can be given at home by the breeder. Tail docking and dew claw removal can ALSO be done by the breeder if s/he so chooses, although they're usually done by the professionals.

However, I'm not sure if the same rules apply in the case of a pet owner who happens to breed their dogs, versus the "professional" who (at least tries to) make their living from breeding dogs. It becomes a "grey zone" once they start charging for the pups.

I hope she will at least refund part of your payment. My understanding is that they (the breeders) are not legally responsible for vet bills incurred by "defective" pups; they can be compelled to return the fee, but then you must return the pup. You cannot have both the money and the goods. What they do with it then ....

But the damage is usually done the minute you set eyes on the pup. He's yours, and you'll do what you can to make him well. It's like a human child - no guarantees. I just hope that the "breeder" checks her parent stock to ensure that they're not passing on a genetic problem to their offspring.

I hope everything goes will for Capone.

Yes, my vet was the one who pointed out that what the breeder did was illegal, by her not getting the health certificate. She already offered us a refund on the puppy if we wanted to give him back. But when we told her that wasn't an option & asked for a partial refund, she said she didn't have the money. How can she offer to give me $650, but then not have money when we ask for a partial refund. That made me a little upset....she'll take the puppy back, refund me money, and then go sell him to someone else all over again?

I'm not asking for her help for the medical bills, as I know it's unreasonable. His heart murmur may not even cause him trouble for some times now. But I'm more angry at the fact that she did things the cheap way and told me he was healthy when he head a heart condition. I'm not going to pay the full price for something that is broken. If the puppy was a toy, you don't pay full price if it's missing a peace. (this is just an analgy...I am not in any way comparing the dog to a toy. lol.)

Thanks for your well wishes & the info.

[kosoma]

Originally Posted by CollegeCutieUSF

From what my vet told me, and the other 2 breeders that happened to be there for an appointment, it's required by florida law to get the health certificate to protect both the seller and the buyer from the lemon law. One of the breeders said that a lot of people don't get it, because it costs $100 per puppy, so to cut costs and make a quicker profit, they skip some steps.........

$100!!! I like the idea of requiring a health certificate, but that price is ridiculous. They cost $15-30 here in Oklahoma, it varies by vet. Its the Buyers who end up paying for this.

Sorry, I know this is off-topic, I was just astounded at that price.

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Florida law requires a health certificate for puppies sold within the state:

828.29. Dogs and cats transported or offered for sale; health requirements; consumer guarantee

(1) (b) For each dog offered for sale within the state, the tests, vaccines, and anthelmintics required by this section must be administered by or under the direction of a veterinarian, licensed by the state and accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, who issues the official certificate of veterinary inspection. The tests, vaccines, and anthelmintics must be administered before the dog is offered for sale in the state, unless the licensed, accredited veterinarian certifies on the official certificate of veterinary inspection that to inoculate or deworm the dog is not in the best medical interest of the dog, in which case the vaccine or anthelmintic may not be administered to that particular dog. Each dog must receive vaccines and anthelmintics against the following diseases and internal parasites:

Thanks for that info! DO you have the link to the site you got it from? I'd like to print it and show the breeder, so she knows I'm not trying to scam her.

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by kosoma

$100!!! I like the idea of requiring a health certificate, but that price is ridiculous. They cost $15-30 here in Oklahoma, it varies by vet. Its the Buyers who end up paying for this.

Sorry, I know this is off-topic, I was just astounded at that price.

I was shocked too! The breeders that were at the vet told me all about it. They said that when they breed, they don't make much money, because they do it the right way and take the puppies to the vet for everything.

[kosoma]

Originally Posted by CollegeCutieUSF

Yes, my vet was the one who pointed out that what the breeder did was illegal, by her not getting the health certificate. She already offered us a refund on the puppy if we wanted to give him back. But when we told her that wasn't an option & asked for a partial refund, she said she didn't have the money. How can she offer to give me $650, but then not have money when we ask for a partial refund. That made me a little upset....she'll take the puppy back, refund me money, and then go sell him to someone else all over again?

I'm not asking for her help for the medical bills, as I know it's unreasonable. His heart murmur may not even cause him trouble for some times now. But I'm more angry at the fact that she did things the cheap way and told me he was healthy when he head a heart condition. I'm not going to pay the full price for something that is broken. If the puppy was a toy, you don't pay full price if it's missing a peace. (this is just an analgy...I am not in any way comparing the dog to a toy. lol.)

Thanks for your well wishes & the info.

I totally agree with you.....at the very least it seems she should cover the vet visits. He is, after all, guaranteed till the next set of shots I believe you said. This is a sorry guarantee, but on the other hand, most guarantees only cover life-threatening defects, so this might not fall under that anyway....the real point is that she actually was dishonest in telling you he was healthy, and illegal for not getting the health certificate. Since she never had him checked she had no way of knowing.

Grrr.....I'm so sorry you are having this experience. We will all be hoping that Capone outgrows that murmur, which remember is not unlikely!

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by mypreciouspups

I only had one litter here, but I knew I had to have it done.. thanks for posting this.. so really in florida she did do something wrong.. and that alone means christina has a case...

That's what my vet told me. He said I can contact the AKC & I could report her. He said they take it seriously, since what she did was against the law. He was the one that told me at the vet least to ask her to refund some of the money I paid, since I paid the full amout thinking he was 100% healthy. Worst case senario if we can't come to some kind of agreement, I report her and take her to small claims court. I just really hope it doesn't come to that though

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by kosoma

Grrr.....I'm so sorry you are having this experience. We will all be hoping that Capone outgrows that murmur, which remember is not unlikely!

That's what we're hoping for!

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by kosoma

From the statute quoted, it appears that this applies to all puppies sold, regardless of who is selling (hobby breeder, kennel, individual). Do I have this right?

If so, that would be a good protection for Buyers....Surely any breeder or vet tech should know this????? Although I guess I can see how an individual might not be aware of it....still, the vet tech should have known.

What we're assuming is that the vet tech told her that she didn't need the health certificate so that she wouldn't go back to the vet and tell him that his tech gave the puppies their shots. I doubt any vet would like to know that his tech is basically stealing his patients. for lack of a better word. lol