Is a breeder liable for vet bills if our puppy has a serious flea problem/allergy?We just bought a Cocker Spaniel puppy on Thursday night. I had specifically asked the breeder if the dog had fleas BEFORE I decided to buy him and he, of course, said "no." When we got the puppy, I noticed he was scratching his ears and he pointed out that dogs always get itchy. I didn't think anything of it because our cockers always had ear problems. However, the dog has been scratching non-stop because he has fleas. We have 2 cats and have NEVER had fleas in our house or yard. Now I have to put all the animals on frontline, wash everything, shampoo the carpets, treat the puppy for some sort of dermatitis reaction to the flea bites, and spray the house and yard. The vet bill was $ 235!
I called the breeder on Saturday about the fleas and said how mad I was about the fleas. I asked for him to call me back. I've left 2 more messages since and he hasn't returned my calls! Can he be held liable for all these expenses? Please help! Thanks!
He brought the dog to my house. It was at night, but I had a light on. I looked at the dog, but I couldn't see the yeast infection in his ears or any fleas on him as he has beautiful thick fur and it's black and white. He doesn't have tons of fleas that I can see, but he has tons of flea dirt. That doesn't get picked up from a house in less than a day (I defnitely didn't have fleas here, and I disagree with medicating animals unnecessarily; my cats are strictly inside animals). BTW, the breeder over-vaccinated the puppy and the vet said he had a yeast infection in his ears. Regardless of whether or not he pays me, I'm filing a complaint with the ASPCA.
I know about the congenital health guarantee, but isn't a verbal agreement about the fleas standing? Thanks everyone for all the advice!
BTW: I put the cats on Frontline today because it's pointless to put the dog on it and not treat the rest of the house/pets. I'm allergic to fleas and would have broken out from their bites if we already had them. His puppy dermatitis (or whatever they called it) only appears on his belly near his hind legs...not noticeable to most people.
-firecracker
no
-kathy l
i didnt read all of just yet but yes! my neighbors puppy had fleas [they didnt notice] they even took it to court... my neighbor won but ended up jsut giving the dog back for the amount of money he paid
-Stark
Only if you signed a health contract when you bought the puppy. And I'm sure that has to be stated in the health contract. Otherwise what is going to happen is the breeder is going to say that the puppy got the fleas while he was in your care, and he is going to refuse to pay the vet bill. But now you know to sign a health contract before you buy another puppy from a breeder.
-Dalai2
Nope.
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