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COCKAPOOS
The Dog Purchaser Protection Act
The Puppy Lemon Law - Act 27 of 1997
Summary of the Law
Who Must Comply?
Owners of USDA and PA state licensed kennels & pet shops who sell to the public. "Non-profit" kennels (shelters) are exempted.
Buyer receives either:
A health certificate issued by a veterinarian OR
Seller may issue a "Guarantee of Good Health"
Health Certificate must be issued within 21 days of sale.
"Guarantee" must state dog is healthy on the date of sale & be signed by both seller & buyer.
Information about dog provided to the Buyer
Date of birth, sex , color & markings
List & date of vaccinations
Record of any known health problems & treatments
Date & type of any parasitical medications
Name, address & signature of seller
The health record, signed by both seller & buyer
Length of time for Guarantee for contagious or infectious diseases
10 days
Length of time for Guarantee for genetic or hereditary diseases
30 days
Options for Buyer if dog becomes sick or dies in days allotted
Return do for refund of purchase price
Exchange dog for another
Keep dog and receive vet costs up to the purchase price, provided the dog can be cured.
Buyer's Veterinarian must issue a "Certification of Illness" for seller which shall include:
Purchaser's name & address
Date dog was examined
Breed & age of dog
Condition that made it "unfit"
Precise Findings
Treatment recommended & cost estimate, if owner keeps dog
Buyer must notify seller of vet's examination
Within 2 business days of exam
Seller shall give refund, replacement or reimbursement
Within 14 days
Seller may contest findings & have dog checked by own vet
Unless hospitalized, buyer must take dog to seller's vet for exam within 2 business days
Sellers of "Registered" dogs to supply certain information
Breeder's name & address
Name & registration number of sire & dam of puppy
Name & address of the pedigree registry organization
Registration documentation must be provided within 120 days. Time may be extended if spaying or neutering is a requirement of purchase price.
If seller fails to proved registration documentation, purchaser may elect one:
Return dog & Receive a full refund of purchase price
Retain dog and receive refund equal to half of the purchase price
Guarantee information
Must be posted at place of business & given to buyer at time of sale.
Enforcement agencies
Office of Attorney General
Penalties for violations or for donducting business without proper license
Up to $1000 for each violation
These health guarantees apply when the purchaser's veterinarian declares that the newly purchased dog is "Unfit for Purchase"
"Unfit for Purchase" means any disease, deformity, injury, physical condition, illness or any defect which is congenital or hereditary and which severely affects the health of the animal or which was manifest, capable of diagnosis or likely to have been contracted on or before the sale and delivery of the animal to the consumer.
