a "let the buyer beware" story

[radfringe]

my parents lost their 15 yr old daschund over a month ago.

they contacted some breeders and bought another daschund, named him Fritz. According to the breeder - the dog was 11 months old (basically still a puppy)
Their first mistake was not going to the breeder's home, but rather meeting the breeder at some other place.

They were given papers on the dog, which showed the dog being born about 11 months ago.

Well, they've had the dog about 3 weeks now, took it to the vet yesterday for a check up and to make arrangements for neutering.

turns out the dog is NOT 11 months old, more likely 2-3 years old from the build up of tarter on the teeth. It also has a very severe case of ear mites and needs shots to get rid of them in addition to the ear drops and 2-3 a day cleaning. and it has seborea (sp?) on the tips of it's ears. Waiting for results of bloodwork for heart worm.

My mom is not someone you want to rip-off. She's getting a letter from the vet about all of this, going to contact the breeder and demand reimbursement for the vet bill. If she doesn't get satisfaction, she has already downloaded forms/instructions for filing a complaint with the local consumer protection board, and also with the humane society and SPCA.

Vet asked her if she was going to keep the dog, given it's problems. My mother said of course, not only because we are attached to him, but there is no way in hell was she going to send him back to the breeder and to that environment.

Vet looked down at the dog, kissed him on the head and said "Fritz, you're one lucky dog."

[ClintonTyree]

1. Tell her..............

to send the story to Judge Judy! Seriously, I've seen cases like this on there before. The upside of this is the breeder gets demonized on national TV and all of the expenses of the trip are free.
I wish her the best. These puppy mill owners and breeders are akin to used car salesmen in honesty and itegrity.
Myself, I've never owned a dog that didn't come from the local shelter. They don't cost much and they are without question the best dogs in the world. Those inbred pedigree pups can't hold a candle to the good old American mutt.

[Limbought]

2. Go Mom!

Fritz "is" one lucky dog!