Be careful when purchasing pets
Buying from some breeders could prove to be risky

Buying from some breeders could prove to be risky"Let the Buyer Beware!"
Kristie Barrett of Nocona learned the truth of this old adage in a tragic way. After deciding to purchase a puppy for her family, Barrett made the same mistakes that many new pet owners make when buying a new family pet.
Barrett began her search by looking in the newspaper for a breeder close to home. Her reasoning was that she would be buying from someone she could rely on if anything went wrong with the puppy or if she needed help. Barrett, though, failed to recognize the first warning sign of potential problems when she was told that she did not have to come to the breeder's kennels to choose a puppy. The breeder insisted on delivering the puppy to Barrett's place of employment. Also, Barrett did not think it was unusual when the breeder had her sign a contract agreeing to only a 48-hour guarantee on the puppy. Barrett also failed to ask the breeder for any references or if the puppy was in good medical condition. She paid $300 for Tinkerbell. The breeder cashed Barrett's check the next morning.
Things started to go wrong as soon as the puppy arrived home. According to Barrett, the puppy just did not "act like a puppy." The breeder had reassured her that the puppy might act a little shy but would soon adjust to its new environment, which is often the case. But the pup was still acting strangely after several days.
When Barrett expressed her concerns to me that the puppy seemed to have difficulty eating, I advised her to get the puppy to her veterinarian as soon as possible.
The veterinarian's exam revealed that Tinkerbell suffered from intestinal parasites and other more severe medical problems. When Barrett went to the breeder's house for some answers, the breeder was fast to point out that Barrett had signed a legal contract and that the puppy was no longer the breeder's responsibility. The breeder did admit that she knew the puppy was sick before selling it to Barrett but, too bad, the contract was signed.
The breeder eventually agreed to take the puppy back from Barrett, but only if Barrett would trade Tinkerbell for another dog from the kennels. Barrett was afraid to return her puppy to the breeder after seeing the poor conditions of the kennels and the other dogs. In spite of spending more than $300 in veterinarian bills over the next two weeks, Tinkerbell's health continued to decline, and she finally died.
I called the Montague Country Sheriff's Office to asked if any complaints had been filed against this breeder. Yes, they had gone to the breeder's home, but found the kennels in compliance with state law, which requires that the dogs have adequate food, water and shelter.
Next, I called the breeder herself. She told me that she was not responsible for the puppy's death and, like it or not, Barrett had signed a contract. The breeder blamed Barrett's children for the pup's poor health, speculating that the children had dropped the puppy on its head since "that is what little kids do to dogs."
She further asserted that it is common for puppies to suffer from medical problems similar to Tinkerbell's. She acknowledged that she had been giving the puppy medicine, although it was medicine prescribed for another dog.
Through our conversation, I learned that she bred five different breeds of dogs and sometimes sold them at area trade days. She claimed that the American Kennel Club had inspected her kennels within the last two years. Now she no longer registers her dogs with the AKC but uses a lesser-known breed registry.
News must travel fast, because that same evening I received a phone call from a man who identified himself as a breeder in a neighboring county who was concerned what I might be planning to say. He argued that the problems with some dog breeders were not created by breeders but by public demand. I had to agree with him when he stated that as long as there is a demand for "pure-bred" dogs, there would always be breeders of all types - from wonderful to unethical.
But to say as he did that demand justifies anyone's right to make money off it - any way they can -was unbelievable to me. He even alleged that demand justified the work of drug dealers and prostitutes, just as it does the breeding practices in puppy mills.
I'd known such attitudes existed, but it was a shock to hear them coming from a breeder in my own neck of the woods.
So buyer beware - but of what?
According to Lori Dorman-Owen, president of the Faith City Kennel Club of Wichita Falls, general guidelines for finding a reputable breeder include:

• Most reputable breeders will only sell a dog under contract, which will vary from breeder to breeder, but which will set forth that breeder's policy regarding health guarantee, refund and return policy and other rights and responsibilities of the buyer and seller.
• A reputable breeder will offer you support with your new puppy, and always help you place the dog (or take it back) if for some reason you cannot keep it.
• A reputable breeder will be knowledgeable about the breed and the genetic diseases that are common in that breed.
• A reputable breeder will carefully screen potential buyers to insure that the dogs will be placed in an appropriate home.
• The breeder's kennel or home will appear clean and well maintained.
• A reputable breeder is willing to answer your questions about the breed you are interested in and the appropriate care for your dog.
• A reputable breeder is willing to let you inspect the environment in which the dogs are bred and raised.

If you are thinking about getting a new pet, please consider from whom you are buying, and get references on the seller. I also suggest that you not purchase a dog from such places as pet stores, flea markets or trade days. You cannot get reliable information about the pups sold at these locations. Of course, I strongly suggest that if you want a new pet, consider adopting one from your local humane society.
Remember, there are people out there who will choose making money over doing what is right and ethical, even when innocent lives are at stake. So in addition to "Let the buyer beware," let the buyer be careful, informed and selective.
Eamon P. Riley is a professional dog trainer and animal behavioral consultant. For suggestions or comments, he can be emailed at dogmanusmc@aol.com or by calling 689-9483.