Legal Question in Consumer Law in Washington

emergency vet clinic bill

I sold an 8 week pup, called the man the next day said pup was fine. got anothe call 2 days later saying pup was sick and there was a $585 vet bill. No one called me to say she was sick, until the vet visit. they took her to after hours vet instead of a day vet. The pups had also seen my vet 5 days prior and he said they were healthy and got their first shots.

One week later get another call saying pup vomited and they want money back I said fine. he was supposed to bring her back next day, man called me next day said he was keeping her. the other pups in litter were just fine. Am I obligated to pay that vet bill, since they never called me to say she was sick? I would have taken her back and to my vet.

thank you, wasn't sure what to put for area of law


Asked on 12/14/06, 4:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: emergency vet clinic bill

Well, I do wonder what you are doing selling a pup at 8 weeks, that's awfully young.

That said, if your customer has indicated he plans to keep the pup, then the bill is his. As you noted, your vet gave the litter a clean bill of health the week before, and it is hard to tell the basis for the illness with no other information. It was your buyer's decision to take her to the after hours clinic, which we all know costs a lot more than a regular vet.

For next time, you might want to reach a written agreement with your buyers before they take delivery of a puppy.

You could have a written contract that spells out what you think your obligations are and under what terms you will take back a puppy.

With horses, the usual terms are that the animal goes to the vet before the sale is completed (or the vet comes to the farm). The vet can be agreed or from one or the other party. If the animal is in good health the buyer pays the vet bill; if the animal is not in good health, the would - be seller pays the vet bill.

Seems fair to me. But when the buyer has indicated that he plans to keep the pup regardless, then it's his bill, not yours.

This is really fact-specific, and I don't think I have enough information to give you any better advice, so this is just my thoughts on your fact pattern. Hope it helps. Powell

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Answered on 12/16/06, 2:46 pm


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