Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

Last Friday my brother bought a puppy chihauhau from Worldwide Puppies and Kittens (the pet store in Bellmore on Sunrise Highway). He was so cute and I immediately became attached to him. He was only 3 months old and when my brother brought him home the next day we took him to the vet. He had a little cought but the vet dismissed it as kennel cough and gave the little guy antibiotics and sent us on our way.

To make a long story short, yesterday when I saw the puppy it didn't look too good so my brother and I took him to the emergency animal clinic in westbury. We left him overnight and they told us that he was not in good shape and it looked like he had pneumonia, but that they would treat him and we could pick him up in the morning. We got a call three hours later that the little guy died. I am so distraught and have not slept all night. I have been up all night crying. I have never had a pet and having this little puppy for only a week and I am an emotional mess.

The problem now is this: We had to take the puppy to the vet three times this past week regarding his health. THe pet store that sold the dog to my brother deals with and sent us to a vet in West Hempstead. These people misdagnosed the puppy because on Wed. when we last took it to the vet, he said the puppy would be fine. Two days later it died of advanced stages of pnemonia. I am beyond fuming mad with this vet. My question is legally does my brother have any rights to get his money back for the puppy? I am afraid the pet store is going to give him a hard time. Can anyone help us or offer any advice.
Thank you so much ladies. You have no idea how much this has affected me and how sad and upset I am at the loss of the puppy. ALl I do is cry.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I had a VERY similar situation happen, but mine was from Canine Corral, and after being in the hospital for 2 weeks, the puppy pulled through (barely!)
I think your brother probably got some kind of guarantee with the dog, no?

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I am not sure I'll have to ask him.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I had a very similar situation with a pet store in Hicksville. So sorry to hear about your little puppuy-it doesn't take long to get attached to them!!!

I never went to the vet they recommended but from the 1st time my regular vet saw her she said she was a very sick dog. We had her a little over a week before she died (from a problem with her bowels that my vet said is somewhat common in dogs from "puppy mills" which is where most pet store dogs come from)

They gave us our $ back and reimbursed our vet bills. I think they were just trying to avoid a scene because I walked into the store so furious and upset at the same time--it was a sunday afternoon and it was really crowded. The manager took us to the side and settled the $ - and then they offered a new dog........from the same place-NO WAY! I couldn't deal with that again. Poor little Maggie was so cute

Message edited 5/28/2005 9:02:24 AM.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I had a problem with a vet in West Hempstead...was he on Nassau Blvd, in a little house across from West Hempstead High School?

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

OMG, and I've been wanting to go in there, now every time I pass this place, Im going to think of this and wanna cry.

That is sooo sad. Im sure he wasnt cheap, so if I was your brother, Id definitely either call first, or go down there.

So so sorry. I hate hearing things like this, it just infuriates me....

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I would think that since your brother had the dog for such a short period of time, at bare minimum, he would be entitled to a refund on what he paid the store for her.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I am so sorry to heare that There is usually a guarantee when buying a dog so he should definitely look into that.....Pet stores really suck! I wish they would all close down....they shouldn't be allowed to sell puppies

I'm sorry again!

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I am so sorry.

THis is very scary...one of my friends just bought a puppy, and she took the puppy to the vet that the pet store deals with...same exact thing...the pet store claims her lungs sounded perfectly clear, and diagnosed her with kennel cough.

Four days later, my friend realized the cough wasn't letting up, so she took her dog to see my DH; and DH x-rayed the dog's chest: yes, pnemonia.

You can't tell if the dog has pnemonia from just listening to the chest, you need the x-ray...did the vet x-ray the puppy?

Sounds like so many of these vets associated with pet stores are dropping the ball lately.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

Did your brother talk to the pet store yet?

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

Here is a link to the
New York State Pet Lemon Law:

http://www.oag.state.ny.us/consumer/tips/pet_lemon_law.html

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

i don't have any legal advice, but i just wanted to say i'm so sorry about your puppy. good luck with everything!

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

The vet said his lungs were clear. He didn't xray him. They gave hime an xray last night and said that he had advanced pnemonia. I am just so upset. I feel like this is all my fault. I should have told my brother to him xrayed from the beginning.

Message edited 5/28/2005 11:04:39 AM.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I was supposed to go to a friend's wedding today but I don't think I'm going to go. I'm not up for it. Thanks for all your help and support ladies. I really appreciate it.

My brother just told me he went to the pet store and the owner/manager wasn't in but they said they'll give my brother a call by 4pm. I think we're gonna have to end up fighting this.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

i'm so sorry to hear that!
i hope your brother gets his money back!

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

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Posted by junebride04

The vet said his lungs were clear. He didn't xray him. They gave hime an xray last night and said that he had advanced pnemonia. I am just so upset. I feel like this is all my fault. I should have told my brother to him xrayed from the beginning.

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Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I'm so sorry you guys are hurting.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

thanks again for all your well wishes. we are going to pick the little guy up in a few minutes and bring him home to bury him. this is so hard for us.

my brother went to the pet store and spoke to the owner. they asked to see the xrays and they are going to let us know on tuesday what the outcome will be. they also want to speak to the vet that saw him last on wed. night.

i hope everything turns out okay. i really want to get another puppy i miss him so much.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

It already sounds like the pet store is quite concerned why the vet "overlooked" the poor guy's symptoms. The pet store just may work with you guys and see what went wrong and maybe the vet should compensate for something......

Keep us posted or bump this thread on Tuesday once you find out the info.

Good luck.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I'm so sorry that you are going through this right now. Please keep us updated

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

I am so, so sorry for your loss. What an awful experience. It's incredible how quickly we become attached to our pets.

A piece of advice for you if you do want to get another pup: please consider going through a reputable breeder. Your unfortunate experience is extremely common among pet store pups. If you go to a reputable breeder, incidences of puppy illness and complications are much lower. You can find a list of breeders on the AKC website - www.akc.org. The price of a pup from a breeder is usually about the same as in a pet store.

Good luck with everything - I hope the pet store cooperates fully with you and your brother, and I hope you both begin healing soon.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

It is a very sad situation when this happens. NYS does have a lemon law with puppies bought in stores.

Good luck....and remember there are many puppies available for adoptions at city and local shelters..(stay away from North Shore)

Best

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

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Posted by The Original 2nd-time-around

I had a VERY similar situation happen, but mine was from Canine Corral, and after being in the hospital for 2 weeks, the puppy pulled through (barely!)
I think your brother probably got some kind of guarantee with the dog, no?

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Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

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Posted by WeddingsRock

It is a very sad situation when this happens. NYS does have a lemon law with puppies bought in stores.

Good luck....and remember there are many puppies available for adoptions at city and local shelters..(stay away from North Shore)

Best

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Message edited 5/28/2005 8:14:36 PM.

Re: Sad Story re: puppy Also need some legal advice

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Posted by regi

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Posted by WeddingsRock

It is a very sad situation when this happens. NYS does have a lemon law with puppies bought in stores.

Good luck....and remember there are many puppies available for adoptions at city and local shelters..(stay away from North Shore)

Best

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The public shelters in Long Island have tons of puppies that need good homes. Please save a life and adopt or go to a rescue.

Here is a list of them(click on municipal pounds on the left hand side).

:city pounds

cl

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