Puppy Refunds

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice. First time breeder here and sold a pup to this lady who I had sent daily photo/video updates. Even collected her to meet the pups when they were old enough, paid for all their vaccinations and agreed I would collect the pup again to take her for her 2nd dose. Within a week of having her she asked me to take her back as her other dog was barking. Absolutely agreed and said I would be over after work. She then spent the rest of the day messaging me not to come and she just had a bad night etc etc. I still went for a cuddle and discussed ways to stop her other dog being jealous etc. Got regular updates from then on about how well she was doing. Suddenly 3 weeks later, she tells me to collect the puppy it’s not working out. Duly collected, whilst driving home (50 min round trip) she is already messaging asking for her money back. I get the pup home, she is no longer toilet trained, head shy and very nervous. I replied that at that moment I wasn’t sure what I would be doing with pup as she had some behavioural issues and would be in contact if or when I rehomed her. I have then received a barrage of threatening and nasty messages from her which I haven’t responded to. Whereas once rehomed I was going to offer her some money back she has been so rude to me without reason that I do not want to have any contact with her at all. What are your thoughts?

That's so sad. I hope pup gets over her issues soon.

Did you have any sort of written contract/agreement? Had you said that you would refund the owner if it didn't work out? It might be best simply to refund her.

Has she signed ownership over to you ...changed microchip details i wouldn't give any refund until pup was in your name as she could ask for pup back even if you had given her a refund. ....

As @Tinytom has mentioned
Be careful, make sure all paperwork is signed back to you before any money changes hands. It may be useful if she states that she has handed the puppy back to you the "Breeder".
This is now a secondhand puppy with issues/problems!
.

I asked my grandma for you as shes a breeder.

Her advice is not to refund until all paperwork and full ownership is back in your name.

Once the puppy is back in your name then if ypu want to give a refund then do.

However my nan said in this circumstance she would not be giving a refund for 2 reasons.

1) she has give you back a puppy with issues that it did not have when you gave to her

2) the threatening behaviour is not called for and doesn't deserve a refund if yoyr going to be rude.

If you have a contract though were you agreed a refund then you have no option but dont hand money back until the dog is back in your name

Thank you. Contract just states puppy to be returned to breeder in first instance. Nothing re money. I did tell her I would be in contact once puppy rehomed and had full intentions of refunding her money minus deposit and any expenses but as she has been so nasty and threatening I have not contacted her at all. Pup is now rehomed where she is the only dog so doesn’t need to fight for attention which I think is what was happening as she was having moments of submissiveness followed by aggression even with her mum and sister

Sorry should also mention that contract stated pup’s microchip had to be registered which she did not do and I have received it back. Pup is Cavapoochon so not registered in any names. Was only the microchip as proof which I have back.

If you intended to refund her, I would simply do so (as long as ownership is clear, and less deposit). Apart from the implications (financial and emotional) if she attempted to sue you, she could badmouth you and damage your reputation as a breeder.

Its your choice if you want to give a refund , nan said she would not.

My husband is a lawyer and i asked could she sue , he said she could but as theres nothing about a refund in the contract then she will loose especially if the breeder keeps all the nasty emails ect.

He advised giving part refund instead and explain a full refund is not happening because of her nasty comments and hopefully she'll learn a lesson that you cant treat people like that.

He saud excluding the deposit whatever the remaining purchase price is give back 50% as that is fair. A judge would highly agree with this too so she could not sue for the other 50% as a judge would agree you had been fair.

But the choice is yours

It would be a good idea to consult a law firm that specialises in dog matters, e.g. Trevor Cooper, who will give initial advice at a very reasonable rate. I recommend you do not enter into any correspondence at all.