The Five: With ‘puppy lemon law,’ buyers don’t just roll over
If you buy a dog from a pet store or commercial breeder, California’s so-called Puppy Lemon Law gives you some protections in case the animal becomes ill shortly after purchase.
The law, officially known as the Pet Breeder Warranty Act, applies to cases in which the purchased dog gets sick due to an illness or disease that existed within 15 days of purchase. It also applies if problems arise in the first year after the sale because of a congenital or hereditary condition.
If you want to keep the dog, the law entitles you get your money back from the seller plus up to an additional 50% of the purchase price for veterinary costs.
The law also allows you to return the dog, like a piece of merchandise, and get a refund or a different dog of equivalent value. Still, you’d be entitled to reimbursement of “reasonable” veterinary costs.
If the dog dies, you are entitled to a refund of the purchase price or another dog of the same value, and veterinary expenses are covered up to 100% of the purchase price.
If you get your dog from a rescue group or non-commercial shelter, the law does not apply. But you might feel better about your new pal — animal rights groups say that dogs sold in stores are too-often products of puppy mills that breed animals under terrible conditions.
