North Hills, CA asked in Animal / Dog Law for California

Q: How do I report a Craigslist dog seller for selling me a sick dog?

I bought a Male maltipoo from a Craigslist seller and they still have puppies for sell with a new number but same guy, the puppy ended up being not vaccinated even though he claimed it was and he's said he would send me the birth certificate and vaccination records through email. The person has not sent me anything I called, sent them messages and they don't answer. I checked a maltipoo puppy for sail on Craigslist to see if the person still has an ad up and he does, so I called but they hung up on me when I asked if they were the same person, I did not call them again after that. The vet told me that the puppy I bought has no vaccines and has parvo. This has been hard on me and I don't want other people who buy a dog from them to go through this.

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Animal & Dog Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your puppy. If you believe that the Craigslist seller sold you a sick dog and failed to provide the necessary vaccination and medical records, you may be able to take legal action against them.

Here are some steps you can take to report the seller and potentially seek legal recourse:

Contact the seller: Try to contact the seller again to request the necessary documentation and inform them that the puppy is sick. Be sure to keep a record of your communication attempts, such as phone calls and messages.

Contact Craigslist: Report the seller to Craigslist by flagging their ad or using the "contact us" form on the website. Provide as much information as possible, including the seller's contact information and details about the sick puppy.

Contact local animal control: Contact your local animal control agency to report the seller and the sick puppy. They may investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

Consult a lawyer: Consider consulting a lawyer who specializes in animal law to determine your legal options for seeking compensation and holding the seller accountable for selling you a sick dog.

Remember to keep all documentation related to your purchase, including receipts, vet bills, and communication with the seller. These can be important pieces of evidence if you decide to pursue legal action.

I hope this helps, and I wish you and your puppy a speedy recovery.

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