Lockyer-Polanco-Farr Pet Protection Act

Within 15 days for illness; or within 1 year for congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects health.

Reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees not exceeding the animal's purchase price.

Note: Applies to dogs only. One law for pet stores, another law for breeders.

§ 122160

1. If a licensed veterinarian states in writing that within 15 days after the purchaser has taken physical possession of the dog after the sale by a pet dealer, the dog has become ill due to any illness that existed in the dog on or before delivery of the dog to the purchaser, or, if within one year after the purchaser has taken physical possession of the dog after the sale, a veterinarian licensed in this state states in writing that the dog has a congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the dog, or that requires, or is likely in the future to require, hospitalization or nonelective surgical procedures, the dog shall be considered unfit for sale, and the pet dealer shall provide the purchaser with any of the following remedies that the purchaser elects:
   1. Return the dog to the pet dealer for a refund of the purchase price, plus sales tax, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees for diagnosis and treating the dog in an amount not to exceed the original purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax.
   2. Exchange the dog for a dog of the purchaser’s choice of equivalent value, providing a replacement dog is available, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees for diagnosis and treating the dog in an amount not to exceed the original purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax.
   3. Retain the dog, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees for diagnosis and treating the dog in an amount not to exceed 150 percent of the original purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax on the original purchase price of the dog.
2. If the dog has died, regardless of the date of the death of the dog, obtain a refund for the purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax, or a replacement dog of equivalent value of the purchaser’s choice and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees in diagnosis and treatment of the dog in an amount not to exceed the original purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax, if either of the following conditions exist:
   1. A veterinarian, licensed in this state, states in writing that the dog has died due to an illness or disease that existed within 15 days after the purchaser obtained physical possession of the dog after the sale by a pet dealer.
   2. A veterinarian, licensed in this state, states in writing that the dog has died due to a congenital or hereditary condition that was diagnosed by the veterinarian within one year after the purchaser obtained physical possession of the dog after the sale by a pet dealer.

§ 122165

1. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that an illness existed at the time of sale if the animal dies within 15 days of delivery to the purchaser.
2. For purposes of Section 122160, a finding by a veterinarian of intestinal or external parasites shall not be grounds for declaring a dog unfit for sale unless their presence makes the dog clinically ill or is likely to make the dog clinically ill.
3. For purposes of Section 122160, the value of veterinary services shall be deemed reasonable if the services rendered are appropriate for the diagnosis and treatment of illness or congenital or hereditary condition, made by the veterinarian and the value of similar services is comparable to the value of similar services rendered by other licensed veterinarians in proximity to the treating veterinarian.

§ 122170

To obtain the remedies provided for in Section 122160, the purchaser shall substantially comply with all of the following requirements:

1. Notify the pet dealer as soon as possible but not more than five days after the diagnosis by a veterinarian licensed in this state of a medical or health problem, including a congenital or hereditary condition and of the name and telephone number of the veterinarian providing the diagnosis.
2. Return the dog to the pet dealer, in the case of illness, along with a written statement from a veterinarian licensed in this state, stating the dog to be unfit for purchase due to illness, a congenital or hereditary condition, or the presence of symptoms of a contagious or infectious disease, that existed on or before delivery of the dog to the purchaser, and that adversely affects the health of the dog. The purchaser shall return the dog along with a copy of the veterinarian’s statement as soon as possible but not more than five days after receipt of the veterinarian’s statement.
3. Provide the pet dealer, in the event of death, with a written statement from a veterinarian licensed in this state stating that the dog died from an illness that existed on or before the delivery of the dog to the purchaser. The presentation of the statement shall be sufficient proof to claim reimbursement or replacement and the return of the deceased dog to the pet dealer shall not be required.

§ 122175

Notwithstanding Section 122160, no refund, replacement, or reimbursement of veterinary fees shall be made if any of the following conditions exist:

1. The illness or death resulted from maltreatment or neglect or from an injury sustained or an illness contracted subsequent to the delivery of the dog to the purchaser.
2. The purchaser fails to carry out the recommended treatment prescribed by the examining veterinarian who made the initial diagnosis. However, this subdivision shall not apply if the cost for the treatment together with the veterinarian’s fee for the diagnosis would exceed the purchase price of the dog, including sales tax.
3. A veterinarian’s statement was provided to the purchaser pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 122140 that disclosed the disease, illness, or condition for which the purchaser seeks to return the dog. However, this paragraph shall not apply if, within one year after the purchaser took physical possession of the dog, a veterinarian licensed in this state states in writing that the disease, illness, or condition requires, or is likely in the future to require, hospitalization or nonelective surgical procedures or that the disease, illness, or condition resulted in the death of the dog.
4. The purchaser refuses to return to the pet dealer all documents previously provided to the purchaser for the purpose of registering the dog. This subdivision shall not apply if the purchaser signs a written statement certifying that the documents have been inadvertently lost or destroyed.

§ 122180

1. The veterinarian’s statement pursuant to Section 122160 shall contain the following information:
   1. The purchaser’s name and address.
   2. The date or dates the dog was examined.
   3. The breed and age of the dog, if known.
   4. That the veterinarian examined the dog.
   5. That the dog has or had an illness described in this section that renders it unfit for purchase or resulted in its death.
   6. The precise findings of the examination or necropsy, including laboratory results or copies of laboratory reports.
2. If a refund for reasonable veterinary expenses is being requested, the veterinary statement shall be accompanied by an itemized bill of fees appropriate for the diagnosis and treatment of the illness or congenital or hereditary condition.
3. Refunds and payment of reimbursable expenses provided for by Section 122160 shall be paid, unless contested, by the pet dealer to the purchaser not later than 10 business days following receipt of the veterinarian’s statement required by Section 122160 or, where applicable, not later than 10 business days after the date on which the dog is returned to the pet dealer.

§ 122185

1. In the event that a pet dealer wishes to contest a demand for any of the remedies specified in Section 122160, the dealer may, except in the case of the death of the dog, require the purchaser to produce the dog for examination by a licensed veterinarian designated by the pet dealer. The pet dealer shall pay the cost of this examination.
2. If the purchaser and the pet dealer are unable to reach an agreement within 10 business days following receipt by the pet dealer of the veterinarian’s statement pursuant to Section 122160, or following receipt of the dog for examination by a veterinarian designated by the pet dealer, whichever is later, the purchaser may initiate an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to resolve the dispute or the parties may submit to binding arbitration if mutually agreed upon by the parties in writing.
3. The prevailing party in the dispute shall have the right to collect reasonable attorney’s fees if the other party acted in bad faith in seeking or denying the requested remedy.