I was wondering if someone could offer some advice. Having purchased a puppy from a reputable Pet Shop, so I was informed, within two hours of bringing him home, I had to call in an emergency Vet. To cut a long story short, the poor puppy had Kennel Cough, a very bad worm infection and, we have just found out, an enlarged heart. I have spent the past three weeks nursing him back to health and also a lovely Vet's bill that extends into hundreds of pounds as well. I know it is a mistake now but I would like to prevent this distressing occurence happening to anyone else. Therefore, bar the RSPCA and Trading Standards, is there any organization, body or support group, that could offer advice with regards to possibly suing the Pet Shop?

Many thanks
Lorraine Evans

I'm so sorry to hear this but unfortunately pet shops etc. are not a place to buy dogs from.

I hope that your puppy is well and take care.  Unfortunately they are not doing anything illegal so not a lot can be done, but maybe the RSPCA or someone cd. get involved to check out what conditions they are living in and if they have health checks before they are sold, because they must of known about the Kennel Cough and surely the enlarged heart must of been showing signs beforehand.

Take care and give your puppy a big hug from me!!

Many thanks! I'm giving him a big belly rub as I write!!! With regards to the doing nothing illegal point, the thing is the Pet Shop had an agreement that they made me sign saying that the puppy had a Vet's check as well as the following statement: 'WE DO NOT SELL SICK OR INJURED PUPPIES'. Quite frankly, they lied and, according to my Vet, this puppy was in such a bad condition that another week and it probably would have died. Oh the joys of pet ownership!!!

Lorraine

Speak to your local trading standards office as soon as possible.

Perhaps you could use the Small Claims procedure to take them to court?  I don't know how to go about it, but there's bound to be a Legal Eagle on here who does :)  I do hope your puppy starts to thrive now that he's in your care and getting the love and attention he deserves :)

Lesley

I am awful sorry about your puppy & that you have had such a rough time. Hope everything works out ok for you it certainly has for the puppy. I.m glad you came along for him when you did. Give him a cuddle for me he deserves it. Take care
Jean:-)

I would go to the Citizen's Advice Bureau, as you've signed an agreement that the pet shop hasn't adhered to.  They should be made to pay compensation for the the vet's bills.
  Hilda

Hi

As they have signed a contract saying they do not sell sick puppies you may be able to claim for breach of contract because they have breached a condition (a term vital to the contract), the puppy is also not fit for the purpose it was sold and of satisfactory quality which is the Sale of Good Act 1979. Both of these would entitle you to claim for the money paid and to claim damages for vets bills. I am doing this on my course but am no expert so good luck and I hope your pup is OK.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have taken them all on board and do intend to follow up on all of them. Thankfully, I have a wonderful Vet who will support me fully and is, in fact, contemplating taken the Pet Shop to court for the slanderous comments the owner made with regards to his diagnosis. Sadly, for the Pet Shop owner, I did consult two seperate Vet's who diagnosis' was the same.

The puppy is slowly getting better, but it looks as if I may now have to consult a specialist with regards to the heart problem. He's only twelve weeks old and has gone through so much in his short little life. Although, if you could see him now, running around the room with his bed in his mouth......well........what a STAR!!!!

Lorraine

Glad your pup is feeling much better, Lorraine. :) 

Good Luck.  :)

Kath.

Just wondered why you said "bar Trading Standards". :)   I've contacted them twice before and they were very helpful and efficient. Got my problems sorted on both occasions. :)

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/   Just put your postcode in to find your local office. I contacted mine by email so I could explain the problem, then they rang me back. :)

Kath.

So sorry about your puppy, hope he appreciates how lucky he is now! Trading Standards seems the obvious place to go for help. Can't suggest anything else, except that you tell everyone about your bad experience & help publicise the fact that buying puppies from pet shops is not a good idea.
Hope your puppy makes a full recovery.

Hi, you could also try the local authorities Enviromental Health Dept- they are responsible for licensing Pet Shops, and to sell a sick puppy would be an infringement of the license.
bye
Gwen