AR-News: (AZ - US) Puppy Lemon Law gets new teeth to protect pet buyers

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'Puppy Lemon Law' gets new teeth to protect pet buyers

Pima County Sheriff's Department is taking the lead in enforcing the law.

IRENE HSIAO
Tucson Citizen 


People with peeves about pet stores have a new tool in stepped-up enforcement 
of the "Puppy Lemon Law."The Pima County Sheriff's Department will take the 
lead in enforcing a law, on the books for several years, designed to protect 
pet buyers.In the past, complaints about pet stores were reported only to the 
Pima Animal Care Center and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Such 
complaints will now be turned over to the Sheriff's Department, said Marsh Myers, 
spokesman for the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Southern Arizona.The department 
can forward the complaint to other agencies if the store is not in the 
county.The law protects people who have bought an animal whose breed has been 
misrepresented or who is sick or has other problems the seller did not disclose. It 
allows for refunds, exchanges or reimbursement of veterinary bills, as well as 
civil penalties.It also spells out standards for care of pet-store animals.The 
new procedure will "patch up an enforcement vacuum that we've had for awhile. 
No one has been designated by law who is in charge of inspecting pet stores," 
Myers said.Investigators could be sent to stores, suppliers or breeders if a 
problem is suspected, he said.The task force is looking at four or five 
unidentified pet stores for "serious violations of the law," Myers said. A letter will 
be sent this week to businesses that sell animals emphasizing the 
enforcement.Bill Conroy, manager of Desert Pet Care, 4810 E. 22nd St., pointed out the 
possibility of counterfeit documentation for a purebred dog. Desert Pet Care 
doesn't sell dogs."The intent of the law is great. It protects the customers; 
it's very important that someone is looking out for them. The problem is 
enforcement," he said. "How do you tell other than the paperwork provided?"The task 
force has set up a phone number, 547-0260, to report pet stores or breeders. 
Tips may remain anonymous. 


    
    
    
    


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