Q: Hi we have purchased a sick puppy from Craigslist.

A: Yes, you can sue in small claims court for the purchase price of the dog and vet bills. You cannot sue him for neglecting the dog, but you could use that as evidence to show why the dog was sick. If you think this person is neglecting the animals he is selling, it would be best to report him to animal control or your local law enforcement so they can investigate and press criminal charges.

A: It is highly unlikely you would be able to recover your vet bills if you can even find him to serve him with a small claims lawsuit. Pets are property and like all other property, they are sold "as is" unless you have a contract with a warranty or guarantee. Colorado does not have a puppy "lemon law", although one will likely be introduced in the next session. That would still probably only cover commercial pet sales. What is lacking from your description is whether this man could be considered a "pet dealer" or a small scale breeder by the Dept of Ag, which would subject him to licensing. I would recommend filing an online complaint with the Colorado Dept of Ag Pet Animal Care Facilities Act consumer services division. Ultimately though, this is why there are literally hundreds of warnings against purchasing a puppy off Cragislist in the manner you did. Many times it is a scam, and there is little to no way to find the person after your puppy gets sick. I'm sorry you had to go through this with your new furry family member.