Last Friday my brother bought a puppy chihauhau from Worldwide Puppies and Kittens (the pet store in Bellmore on Sunrise Highway). He was so cute and I immediately became attached to him. He was only 3 months old and when my brother brought him home the next day we took him to the vet. He had a little cought but the vet dismissed it as kennel cough and gave the little guy antibiotics and sent us on our way.
To make a long story short, yesterday when I saw the puppy it didn't look too good so my brother and I took him to the emergency animal clinic in westbury. We left him overnight and they told us that he was not in good shape and it looked like he had pneumonia, but that they would treat him and we could pick him up in the morning. We got a call three hours later that the little guy died. I am so distraught and have not slept all night. I have been up all night crying. I have never had a pet and having this little puppy for only a week and I am an emotional mess.
The problem now is this: We had to take the puppy to the vet three times this past week regarding his health. THe pet store that sold the dog to my brother deals with and sent us to a vet in West Hempstead. These people misdagnosed the puppy because on Wed. when we last took it to the vet, he said the puppy would be fine. Two days later it died of advanced stages of pnemonia. I am beyond fuming mad with this vet. My question is legally does my brother have any rights to get his money back for the puppy? I am afraid the pet store is going to give him a hard time. Can anyone help us or offer any advice. Thank you so much ladies. You have no idea how much this has affected me and how sad and upset I am at the loss of the puppy. ALl I do is cry.
mrsgtobe
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Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice
I am so, so sorry for your loss. What an awful experience. It's incredible how quickly we become attached to our pets.
A piece of advice for you if you do want to get another pup: please consider going through a reputable breeder. Your unfortunate experience is extremely common among pet store pups. If you go to a reputable breeder, incidences of puppy illness and complications are much lower. You can find a list of breeders on the AKC website - www.akc.org. The price of a pup from a breeder is usually about the same as in a pet store.
Good luck with everything - I hope the pet store cooperates fully with you and your brother, and I hope you both begin healing soon.
WeddingsRock
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Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice
It is a very sad situation when this happens. NYS does have a lemon law with puppies bought in stores.
Good luck....and remember there are many puppies available for adoptions at city and local shelters..(stay away from North Shore)
Best
jandt2006
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Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice
Posted by The Original 2nd-time-around
I had a VERY similar situation happen, but mine was from Canine Corral, and after being in the hospital for 2 weeks, the puppy pulled through (barely!) I think your brother probably got some kind of guarantee with the dog, no?
http://consumeraffairs.us/pets/canine.html
that link talks about complaints from that store. when i was looking for my puppy i would enter the store name online and see if anything bad came up about them. i ended up purchasing my dog through a breeder in selden, she is healthy thank god
regi
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Posted by WeddingsRock
It is a very sad situation when this happens. NYS does have a lemon law with puppies bought in stores.
Good luck....and remember there are many puppies available for adoptions at city and local shelters..(stay away from North Shore)
Best
The public shelters in Long Island have tons of puppies that need good homes. Please save a life and adopt or go to a rescue.
Here is a list of them(click on municipal pounds on the left hand side).
absolutely agree....pet stores and 'puppy mills' are not always the most reputable places to get pets. I know of MANY that bred dogs that had cancer or hip displasia, and BINGO -- so did their offspring. Not all are like that, but unfortunately many of them are. Seriously consider the shelters -- so many dogs are cats are homeless.
My heart goes out to you for your little puppy. The poor thing......
Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice
I am so sorry!!!!
Valentinegirl
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I am so sorry! I am so sad reading this. I hope you are feeling better!
CMC&BPZ
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JimmysBride
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I am so sorry this happened!! You should definitely fight them all the way!
JimmysBride
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Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice
Posted by jmf423
I had a very similar situation with a pet store in Hicksville. So sorry to hear about your little puppuy-it doesn't take long to get attached to them!!!
I never went to the vet they recommended but from the 1st time my regular vet saw her she said she was a very sick dog. We had her a little over a week before she died (from a problem with her bowels that my vet said is somewhat common in dogs from 'puppy mills' which is where most pet store dogs come from)
They gave us our $ back and reimbursed our vet bills. I think they were just trying to avoid a scene because I walked into the store so furious and upset at the same time--it was a sunday afternoon and it was really crowded. The manager took us to the side and settled the $ - and then they offered a new dog........from the same place-NO WAY! I couldn't deal with that again. Poor little Maggie was so cute
Was it Shake-a-Paw?
ambersmom
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Posted by jmf423
I had a very similar situation with a pet store in Hicksville. So sorry to hear about your little puppuy-it doesn't take long to get attached to them!!!
I never went to the vet they recommended but from the 1st time my regular vet saw her she said she was a very sick dog. We had her a little over a week before she died (from a problem with her bowels that my vet said is somewhat common in dogs from 'puppy mills' which is where most pet store dogs come from)
They gave us our $ back and reimbursed our vet bills. I think they were just trying to avoid a scene because I walked into the store so furious and upset at the same time--it was a sunday afternoon and it was really crowded. The manager took us to the side and settled the $ - and then they offered a new dog........from the same place-NO WAY! I couldn't deal with that again. Poor little Maggie was so cute
Same story here but from Puppy Depot in Medford. I walked in and created a HUGE scene on a Saturday. They 'partially' paid Angel's bills because we refused to take her to their covered vet. Yeah, their covered vet was taking kickbacks to declare the dogs 'in good health' meanwhile Angel was hours away from dying when my husband brought her home. Ladies/Gents, NEVER bring your store bought pets to the recommended vets. Get your own trusted Vet's opinion concerning the wellness of your pet. I would call there immediately and make instant demands of retribution.
I'm so sorry about your little doggie
Sassyz75
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Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice
if you would like a well-bred chihuahua (that is probably less than what you paid at the puppy mill store) please check out my breeder Brittany:
Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice
Posted by junebride04
The vet said his lungs were clear. He didn't xray him. They gave hime an xray last night and said that he had advanced pnemonia. I am just so upset. I feel like this is all my fault. I should have told my brother to him xrayed from the beginning.
I am so sorry that you had such a horrible experience.
It is not your fault. We trust Drs. to do the right thing, and for the most part they do. No one expects that they will get an incompetent doctor.
At the very least you should get your money back, plus I would argue for the additional vet bills.
No amount of money will replace your little pup, but I personally am one to make a huge scene in a store and let other potential buyers know what kind of business they run, and whom they are associated with. If nothing else it may prevent one more person from losing a pet this way
Also, if you really want to make a statement, you can also write to the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Attorney General of NY.
AtticaQT
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Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice
I am SO sorry you had to deal with this Angela!! It really is not your fault - there was no way of you knowing. I hope that the store doesnt give you trouble and just admit that they sold your brother a sick little doggie.
