Sec. 22-344b. Pet shop required to have dogs and cats examined by veterinarian. Replacement or refund. Penalty. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 22-344b. Pet shop required to have dogs and cats examined by veterinarian. Replacement or refund. Penalty. (a) A pet shop licensee shall, prior to offering a dog or cat for sale and thereafter at intervals of fifteen days until such dog or cat is sold, provide for examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384. The licensee shall maintain a record of the veterinary services rendered for each dog or cat offered for sale.

      (b) If, within fifteen days of sale, any such dog or cat becomes ill or dies of any illness which existed in such dog or cat at the time of the sale, such licensee shall, at the option of the consumer, replace the dog or cat or refund in full the purchase price of such dog or cat: (1) In the case of illness, upon return of the dog or cat to the pet shop and the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384, stating that the dog or cat is ill from a condition which existed at the time of sale, and (2) in the case of death, the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under said chapter stating that the dog or cat died from an illness which existed at the time of sale. Any costs for services and medications provided by a licensed veterinarian incurred by the consumer for such illness shall be reimbursed to the consumer by such licensee in an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars. The presentation of such certificate shall be sufficient proof to claim reimbursement or replacement and the return of such deceased dog or cat to the pet shop shall not be required. No such refund or replacement shall be made if such illness or death resulted from maltreatment or neglect by a person other than the licensee, his agent or employee.

      (c) A licensee who violates any provision of this section shall forfeit to the state a sum not to exceed five hundred dollars for each animal which is the subject of the violation. The Attorney General, upon complaint of the commissioner, may institute a civil action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to recover the forfeiture specified in this section.

      (P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; 88-325, S. 1; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 98-113, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain at Hartford" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 98-113 amended Subsec. (b) to provide for reimbursement of consumers by pet shops for certain veterinary expenses.

      Cited. 41 CS 179.