Puppy lemon law

The Senate Executive Committee voted Wednesday in favor of a bill some have described as a “puppy lemon law.”

Scott Reeder
Illinois News Network

My home is a virtual menagerie, with four dogs, two cats and a pair of parakeets.

That’s the result of marrying a veterinarian who loves creatures large and small.

But even before I met my wife, I was an experienced pet owner and treated the purchase like I would any other major transaction.

I bargained over the price and asked before the sale if I could return the dog if my vet found something seriously wrong.

In each case, the seller agreed to that condition as part of the transaction.

If the sellers hadn’’t, I would have gone on to purchase an animal elsewhere.

That’s how the free market works.

In fact, in one case I purchased an English bulldog back in 1990 and my vet found a major malformation obstructing her trachea. I returned the dog, got my money back and purchased a puppy elsewhere.

All was well with the world.

But now it seems lawmakers have a solution searching for a problem.

The Senate Executive Committee voted Wednesday in favor of a bill some have described as a “puppy lemon law.”

The legislation would allow people who buy a cat or dog to get a replacement or a refund if the animal needs veterinary care for some illnesses or conditions within 20 days of purchase. The buyer also could seek damages for the cost of veterinary care.

Gee, just what we need in our litigious society: another opportunity to sue.

Lawmakers are barking up the wrong tree on this one.

How about assuming people are adults and can make wise decisions for themselves?

After all, they can negotiate whatever conditions for a sale when they buy a pet.

And if the seller won’’t, um, play ball there are always plenty of other places that will.