In Indiana, a puppy has to be eight weeks old before it can be sold.
Dog "lemon laws" makes it illegal to sell a dog that's unhealthy or has serious birth defects. It also gives buyers the right to return the puppy to the breeder or store that sold him. As of the start of 2011, 20 states had puppy lemon laws in place; Indiana does not, though it does have a restriction on the age of puppies put up for sale.
Lemon Laws
The principle of pet lemon laws is that if you buy a pet with severe health problems, you have a legal right to return it. At the beginning of 2011, all states with lemon laws apply them to dogs --- not just puppies --- but some include cats, and New Hampshire covers ferrets. All the laws apply to professional breeders and pet stores, but, according to attorney Lisa Curry, some of the laws are unclear as to whether private individuals who occasionally sell a dog would be covered.
Effects
Because puppy laws are consumer-protection laws, unhappy buyers don't have to sue dealers themselves: The state attorney general is responsible for enforcing the law. Different states impose penalties on dealers ranging from paying back the purchase price to $10,000 fines. The time frame in which buyers can return a dog and the procedures for doing so also vary from state to state, but in most states, the buyer must obtain a veterinarian's certificate about the health of the dog.
Age
Another restriction on dog sellers in a number of states is that puppies must be at least eight weeks old before they can be sold. Twelve states make it a crime for any individual to sell a younger puppy, while other states restrict the law's effect to pet shops, breeders or animal dealers. Indiana law states that if a puppy is under eight weeks old, it's illegal to transport it into or out of the state for sale unless the mother accompanies it.
Other Laws
Other laws apply to puppy breeders in Indiana. In 2010, the state passed new restrictions that require breeders to observe certain minimum standards regarding an animal's cleanliness, food, water, exercise and the size of its shelter. It's also against state law for any individual to knowingly sell a diseased animal. Activists in Indiana, such as the Defend the Dogs! organization, are working to promote tougher laws that will require breeders to treat dogs with better care.
Related posts
Sell puppies with documentation proving their good health to avoid liability.The puppy lemon law enacted in a number of states was created with the rights of the consumer in mind. The buyer of a p...
Puppy lemon laws help protect consumers with new pets.Many states have applied lemon laws to the pet industry to protect consumers against purchasing an animal that may be in poor health. Ohio has...
Wisconsin is among several states that have enacted a puppy lemon law in response to abuses by commercial puppy breeders. Seventeen states, including New York, Pennsylvania and Florida, have such...
Dog owners in Indiana should remain mindful of both state and local laws protecting their pets.The inter-species friendship of human and canine has flourished for many centuries. Today, residents...
Puppy "Lemon Laws" in Pennsylvania help protect consumers.The Puppy Lemon Law, enacted in Pennsylvania in 1997, is a consumer protection measure covering the purchase of dogs from breede...
