posted 12-10-2003 10:36 AM         

Here's my delema.

I shipped a female puppy to California from Texas. She was the last puppy to go and 10 weeks. SHe had the same vaciantions and treatments as all the other (6) puppies did. She had her health exam before flight and the vet said she was healthy as a horse.
The lady recieved her on Friday of November. Thanksgiving night she calls me and tells me the puppy had to go to EMS for pets. THey said she had Parvo. Well friday morning they moved her to her regular vets office for treatment and the following Tuesday she brought her home. Said she was doing fine, but the bill was like $1200 + $500 for ems care. I thought this to be out rageous and I redilly oppoligized.

How could I have known!!!???!!! I did everything in my power to keep her healthy, she was born and raised inside, and occasionally went outside with her littermates to play.

Well she gives me a call Tuesday evening telling me she's ok but wants me to pay the bill!!! Now in my puppy agreement, I stated that I'm not held liable for any bills exceeding the cost of the puppy. BUT I agreed to give her $500 to help out, but first I needed all the vetbills and reports -FROM THE VET.

She neglected to send them too me, claims that her puppy kit with the additional healthpapers, reg. application, and copy of the puppy agreement never arrived. Yet I sent it out the day after the puppy was shipped.

I get a call today from her saying that its been 2 wks and I haven't paid her, and she's going to take "legal actions against me".

I told her I was waiting on the reports and bills from the vet, before I was going to send out any payments.

Now, I promised her a healthy puppy, and I did what I could to vaccinate her, worm her and love her dearly. What am I to do?

Can she sue me for $1200 from California, even if she filled out the agreement stating that I wasn't held liable for anything over the cost of the puppy, even after I verbally agreed that I would send her $500 anyhow. She paid $200 for the puppy and $165 for the shipping.

posted 12-10-2003 11:35 AM         

parvo has an incubation period of 10-12 days. She was supposed to take the puppy for a physical exam with in 48 hrs of getting the puppy. Which she also did not, and was stated in the papers.

The puppy had to get the parvo here, if it indeed got parvo. She was only in California for 7 days before allegedly being diagnosed with it.

But how could it have gotten parvo if she had both rounds of the vaciantions?

All the other puppies are great! besides two having a mild case of hook worms, which both owners vets told them the wormer hadn't had time to rid them completly of it and it would take another dose. They also said this was very common in puppies and since it was already treated that was in no way harmful to the puppies.

Every one else is very happy and the sad thing is she was in my oppinion the prettiest, 2nd biggest and healthiest of the whole litter. There were 7 in the litter.

posted 12-10-2003 12:39 PM         

They were health garenteed for 6 months, but the pup had to go to the vet within 48 hrs. of going to new home, or the garentee was voided.

I told her I would take the puppy back under ANY surcomstances and return their deposite of $50.

She doesn't want to send the puppy back because her two kids are attatched to it.

I told her I had a puppy die of parvo before, so she threw that in my face stating that I knew it was in my ground. I told her NO...the puppy was found and died a few years back and not on the same property.

I'm thinking she may be a bit ignorant, this maybe her first puppy.

NO I had sent the puppy kits regular media mail. SO I didn't have a reciept. I'm remailing a third kit with insurance this time so I can track it.

What conserns me most is she accuses me of sending an unhealthy puppy. She was the fattest healthiest pup when she left my care. When she was put on the plane, I assumed no more responcibility for the pup.

I sent her a Kennel I had bought and for her to keep so the pup would know something familiar upon arrival.

If it was parvo, then why didn't she send the vet papers immediatly after I discussed that I wouldn't send a dime until I saw them??? Now she states that she has to look for one of them. How conveniant.

posted 12-10-2003 03:38 PM         

I checked the website Maisey suggested, it says Rotties and Dobbies are much more suseptable to the Parvo and Parainfluenza.

My family, and some of the other buyers all think that she's trying to get $$$ out of me.

The pup was only in the vets office for 4 1/2 days. She won't give me the name nor the # to the vet, and claims now that she can't find one of the recipts.

I've already resent everything AGAIN, I included another packet of the vacinations she got so the vet knows which ones the puppy recieved.

I'm so frustrated!!!! She obviously didn't read the agreement. Which plainly states that I don't owe her a thing because she voided the contract when she didn't take the pup to the vet in 48 hrs. and a second thing, I don't owe more than the puppy was purchased for. Yet I'm offering her $500 to help out, and now thats not enough.

Yall are right, I'm not sending her anything until I get ALL the puppy reports from the vets office.

Thanks for so much help.

I love my pups. I've offered to take it back several times and replace it with one from a future litter or from another breeder, she doesn't want either.

posted 12-10-2003 04:26 PM         

I would keep a written record of every interaction with her. Record what you sent, what she sent, every correspondence. Then if the worst happens and she takes you to court, your paper trail will be better than hers (since it seems she can't even provide one at all!).

posted 12-10-2003 06:00 PM         

I would also like to say that all puppies should not come into contact with any other dog other than its parents and litter mates as they can still get, Parvo,Distemper and all other viruses until around 2weeks after there last vaccination.

Its likely that this puppy has contracted the virus during transportation to the new owner.

Your vet gave the puppy a full examination before it went and was given the all clear even though the incubation period of parvo is between 10-12 days in a 10 week old puppy tell tale signs show up in blood tests so therefore if this puppy had it while still with you the risk of the litter mates having it is also likely but since no-one else has contacted you on this matter then rest assured it was not while in your care this happened.

I am a breeder of german shepherds i have all my contracts signed in front of my solicitor and he aslo keeps a copy of this.

You did everything that you stated in the contract, You are not liable for anything that the puppy may contract once it has left you.

You have agreed to pay $500 which is very reasonable but if she will not send you vet bills and treatment bills then you dont have to pay her a penny as i said she could be trying to pull a fast one on you.

Shipping any animal comes with risks of disease or injury to the animal which is beyond your control so therefore you cannot be held liable.

hope this all makes sence and hope this matter gets resolved.

Please kepp us all posted

posted 12-12-2003 05:30 AM         

Just to clear a little mishap up here....I"M A WOMAN!! LOL. thats ok. I get that alot.

Oh I've been waiting since Tuesday the 2nd of Dec, no papers, I'm still waiting after our chat on Wend. the 10th, she claimed she was fedexing them over night to me, no papers.

THank yall all so much for your advice.

I reread my contract, had my mother read it and the vet. THey all say the same thing you do.

I'm going to take your advice on giving her a time limit. The biggest thing that worries me is that if she's so intent on being mad at me...is she taking it out on the puppy.

I've asked for the puppy back, and offered to give her a pup from a future litter OR find a breeder and get her another pup. SHe doesn't want either.

I am stressing over it, but the puppies and my dogs are like my children since I don't have any. When I told Granvel about it, he told me to ignore her. But if I did that then I don't know what actions she would take.

I was told that she probably wouldn't have a case in court due to the fact that sueing me for $1200 wouldn't turn up but $100 for a lawyer, she'd have to spend more $ on an attorney than she'd get back from me!! Plus she signed the contract.
And suposively can't find one of the reciepts....go figure.

I"m not going to be run over on this, if it turns up that she is falsly accusing me, and stiring up all this mess, I will be going to get the puppy, and suing her. I've recorded all the voicemails, and I can get a printed copy of what was said during our phone conversations, She always calls my cellphone, and the cell companies can do that.

I mailed out another Puppy kit with ALL the necessary paper work she should need, My mother in law to be, was sitting there watching me put everything in it!!!

I also mailed out all my Christmas cards and snowman bandanas to all the puppy buyers, I like making them. I put little bells on them..oh they were so cute!! Even sent her one.

posted 12-12-2003 06:10 AM         

A question for those of you who have been rbeeding for a while. Is there any way to require references of someone before you let them buy a puppy, and if so, would it actually help?

posted 12-12-2003 07:14 AM         

She said its a skeleton and severly skinny and weak. She took it to the house and put it in her bathtub with some old blankets. I told her I'd becoming home early and pick it up.

She said its probably 5-6 wks old, and black lab with possibly aussi mix......

How can people do this?? I'll take photos as soon as I get home. I've got plenty of puppy shots and antibiotics. I always have a supply. We get them from Petmeds.com and ValleyVet supply.

posted 12-12-2003 07:18 AM         

This is defintely a lesson to be learned. I just don't understand why people are so cruel and try to scam, if in fact thats what she's trying to do.

You know it just occured to me. SHe hasn't called since Wedn. to ask if the papers have arrived!

GRRRRRRRR...

posted 12-12-2003 09:41 AM         

I hope the little guy is okay. I doubt there is any way you can legally get him back.

posted 12-12-2003 09:57 AM         

I also put in there that for anyreason the puppy was to be transfered to another person or had to be given up or away, I have first pick to get it back.

So, I'm covered there. I'm definately going to demand photos of the puppy.

EDIT: If anyone would like a copy of the paper she signed (the agreements) I have several copies and anyone is more than happy to use these for their purposes as well. I don't care. Its all to protect the puppies.
Just let me know!

posted 12-12-2003 12:11 PM         

I always do a home check before my puppies go to there new home as i dont want to be taking any risks of them being hurt or anything like that when they goto there new home.

I also do spot checks on the puppies in other words i just turn up at the new owners home to check the puppies welfare this way they dont know i am coming and cant be prepared for my arrival..

Sam your doing right giving this con artist a time frame i would not worry if she had vet checked the puppy withing 48hours of getting her new pup then she would have something to moan about but like i say he could have contracted it from shipping and if it was while with you then all you other puppies would hva e had it and you would have had alot of angry new owners and since this is not the case she doesnt have a hope in hell of suing you the judge will laugh her out of court.

If you ever have anymore litters i would advise to put in the contract that the puppy was vet checked and given full bill of health before leaving you and you are not liable for any illnesses the puppies contract during shipping or when they are in there new home, attach a copy of this examintaion to the contract this way you have a copy they new owners have a copy and so does your vet then this sort of thing wont happen again.

i hope all goes well and this all gets resolved..

Good luck keep us posted

posted 12-12-2003 01:02 PM         

She still hasn't called nor have I recieved the fedex, that was supposively sent overnight on Wedn.

yall are right. If she calls, I'm just going to flat out tell her:

"you've had adequate amount of time to supply me with the needed literature on the puppies condition, health report,vet report, and bills. I think your scaming me and I'mnot going to tolerate it.
Its harassment and frankly if you want to take legal matters, feel free to do so."

I'm thinking that will end matters, if not, I'll get me a lawyer. Doubt she'll take it that far, but if she does, I'll be ready.

And I'll be back to venting.

Thanks again yall. I'm sorry i burdoned yall with my problems, I just needed some feedback.

I'll keep ya updated as to what goes on.

If I don't get a call by Monday nor the papers, I will be calling her to demand my puppy back. I don't think she deserves such a wonderful and beautiful dog if she's going to use it to scam someone with it.

posted 12-18-2003 05:01 AM         

A little update, I've recieved the vet bills, she's written on them and circled all the prices.

After reviewing and having others review the contract, she nullified and voided it when she didn't take the puppy to the vet within 48 hrs of getting the puppy, which it was on a Friday, so she had Saturday to take it and I would have gave her Sunday off so Monday she should have taken it.

I'm only giving her back her $200 that she paid, the attorney says I don't need to give her any more.
Shipping was on her part, and I legaly don't owe her a thing since she broke the contract, but I'm going to give her at least that.

Since I'm moving and all my stuff is in boxes I can't find her contract!!!! It's in a box somewhere, I'm going to have to dig through all the boxes this weekend. I'm sending her another copy of it and highlighting with notes why she's only getting that, and that I don't have to give her it, but I'm going to out of a good heart.

posted 12-18-2003 07:10 AM         

I'm writing a letter today, explaining that I'm giving her $200.00 for grace. I don't owe her anything, since she broke the contract by not taking the pup to the vet within 48 hrs, and I don't owe anything over the purchase price of the dog.

I can't just blow her off, no matter how rude she's being.

I'll have several people sign the letter witnessing the thing, as they have been there through it all, I'll include the copy of the contract, and information on the Parvo that they provided me with earlier in this thread.