Call Kurtis: My Craigslist Puppy Died, Where's My Refund?
CITRUS HEIGHTS (CBS13) — A mom says within days of getting her new puppy "Copper", he started throwing up, was lethargic and stopped eating.
"He was gorgeous; just so cute," said Kathy Nixon.
But six days after buying Copper, the Yorkie Maltese mix was dead.
Nixon said, "It's very upsetting to see my children go through this."
According to a report from the veterinarian, Copper died of parvo-virus. Nixon said the vet told her, "as sick as he was, he had to have been sold that way."
But Nixon says the Craigslist seller refused to cover the nearly $900 vet bill.
"She said it wasn't her problem," said Nixon.
According to attorney Jacqueline Siemens, the legislature saw a need to protect consumers. If you buy from a breeder, defined in California as someone who in a year sells at least twenty puppies or three litters, you have rights if a dog becomes sick within the first 15 days.
- You can return the dog for a refund and get your vet bills covered up to the dog's purchase price.
- Exchange the dog and get your vet bills for to the amount the dog cost.
- Or keep the dog and get up to 150% of the price to cover the vet bills with proof of the illness
Siemens added most importantly you need that note from a veterinarian
CBS 13 reached out to the person who sold Copper. She told us she doesn't sell twenty dogs or three liters a year, not meeting the state's definition of a breeder.
But after we got involved, she agreed to a full refund, plus 40-dollars to cover the vet bills. Despite the agreement, she never followed through and has since disconnected her number. No one knows her full name, so we can't find her.
"It's been a nightmare and I would never buy a dog off Craigslist again," said Nixon.
Nixon says her vet said she has to wait three years before getting another dog to make sure her home is clear of Parvo. It takes usually a week to 14-days to show signs of Parvo.
If you don't buy a dog from a breeder defined by the state, you can try small claims court, but you're not protected by this law.