Hello! I really need some advice. Please note I live in Qld so am subject to Qld or Federal Law
I bought a 16-weeks old puppy from Michelle on the 10th of August from a breeder in Brisbane. Her name is Michelle, and she runs Chihuahua Pups North Brisbane. From the moment I got her she wouldn’t eat. I made up a special recipe of food as per the breeder's instructions. Luna would just pick a tiny piece of giblet then dance and play around with it, bit like a cat who plays with a mouse, then eat it. I tried feeding this to her every day. Luna wouldn’t go near a plate or bowl. She’d actively recoil every time I placed something in front of her. I thought maybe she had a fear certain colours or bowls. I was at my wits end. So, at much expense I tried a lot of things:
I tried:
· I cooked up the breeder’s recipe (attached),
· Optimum wet and dry food,
· Hill’s Science Diet wet puppy food
· My Dog puppy with chicken and rice
· Finely chopped roasted chicken with bone broth and blended cooked vegetables
· Dried food soaked in puppy milk.
I tried serving it warm and cold, served on round plates, square plates, different coloured square and round plates, on paper towels, with me sitting on the floor ext to her and lastly by hand. The only thing Luna wanted was those Vita Pet milky stick treats. Every day I reported what was happening to the breeder – Michelle. I have a Messenger log of our conversations.
Every day I put some dry food out and a couple tablespoons of food in a bowl, even chopped her milky treat up very finely and put it in the food in a bowl. But she would still only sniff it and then walk around the house and garden crying and sniffing for food. The crying was heartbreaking because there was food there. So, after all this effort, I thought maybe there was something medically wrong with her.
Therefore, on Day five (5), I brought her to our local vet, Dr Belinda Leslie of Moffat Beach Vets. She was lovely and gave her a free puppy check, even clipped her toenails. She examined Luna and said she was healthy, but a little skinny. I explained how I couldn’t get her to eat anything but treats. Then she asked what I’d been trying. I told her everything I’ve been cooked and bought, but she won’t eat anything except treats. I told her what was in the recipe the breeder gave me, and she scoffed. Dr Leslie said Luna should be on a high-quality canned food for puppies. She gave me a can of Hill’s Science Diet for puppies. Got it home, put some on a plate, one sniff and she was off crying again, sniffing for food.
On day seven (7) I was really panicking because Luna hadn’t eaten anything substantial for a week. The breeder tells me she was fine with her, but dogs get stressed with change. I was scared Luna would become malnourished if we kept on like this. The breeder said to bring her back. Asked me to drop her at the home of her best friend Vicki in Noosaville. She then offered me another dog. I didn’t want another dog. Then she said she’d ONLY refund my money once she sold her.
I gave Luna back ONLY out of concern for her health! After just one day I missed Luna so much. Despite the feeding difficulties, we had really bonded. So I asked for her back. I told her I’d bought a crate and I’d be willing to pay for food made by her initially. I would start from scratch with the food training. That I would crate train her and bring her to puppy school.
Anyway, she then had a best friend Vicki pipe in (a breeder from Chihuahua Pups Noosa) who said:
“This is Vicki, you are not getting pup back pup needs a stable home not to be dumped at my place when you don't want her. If she was my puppy I wouldn't give you any money back, same as the RSPCA’s you dump a dog there you have surrender it no money. You didn't feed her properly you complained about her, crying all the time you don't deserve a dog!”
Well, this message floored me emotionally. I didn’t know this person and they don’t know me. She was accusing me of “dumping” the dog when I just wanted reassurance regarding her eating. I dropped Luna at Vicki’s mansion in Noosa, not in the gutter. I also provided a car seat, bed, puppy pads, a lead, four little outfits, chew toys I’d bought, treats, dental sticks, puppy milk, two types of dry food and some optimum wet food. Is this the making of a cruel, abusive dog owner?
Once I had a day to clear my head and room to think it all through, I realised how much I missed Luna and asked for her back. I admitted I had mistakes at the start. I should have crate trained her. I suffer from major depression, and I think I just got overwhelmed. I was afraid that she would get sick with everyday that passed and she’d end up with malnutrition. For her sake I wanted the breeder to assess her.
I paid Luna off over a few months because I’m on disability. I paid one third via bank transfer but the rest in cash. I paid $450 via bank transfer and, $1050 cash because I’m too trusting. Stupidly, I didn’t get a receipt for the cash portion. But it is well documented in our Messenger conversations. I wouldn’t have been allowed to take her if I hadn’t paid in full.
I was scammed in January when trying buy a puppy via Facebook. I lost $1300. I now hunt down these scammers and identify and report any I find on dog groups. This is because I don’t want others to end up losing money like me.
I could not have done more for Luna. I’m about $1800 out of pocket. With the vaccinations and extra food? I’ll miss her but won’t see her again. I just want to put this horrible experience (with the breeders not Luna) behind me. I also want a refund now, not when she sells her. Why should I be left in limbo when the breeder is selling puppies every day at $1500-$2000 a pop. I can’t move forward while she keeps me on a string waiting for my refund.
I’m a good and kind person whose been made to feel like an animal abuser. The breeder has now blocked me on fb and so things ar even more up in the air.
I just need advice, legal or otherwise. Yes, I gave her back, but that was to SAVE her from starving. I wanted the breeder to assess her, not keep her. I am more than willing to try again, but the breeder says “NOPE”!
That’s okay, the whole experience has been tainted. I’ll go to an ANKC breeder should I ever be ready to get a dog again. Ironically, it’s two years today since the love of my life – a Maltese Chihuahua X named Mickey - passed away at 18years of age. I still grieve for him. I’m not ready to look again for a while especially after this shit show. Looking for some positive advice today.
A member of the Oz Chihuahua Group on Facebook said animals fall under the ACCC and I have a legal right to a full refund. Can anyone confirm this?
Thank you all
