§ 4-25-5. Purchaser remedies.
(a) A purchaser is entitled to relief from the seller after the purchase of a dog if one
of the following conditions occurs:
(1) Within twenty (20) days after the purchase of the dog, a licensed veterinarian states
in writing that the animal is suffering from or has died from an illness, disease
or other defect adversely affecting the animal's health and that this condition existed
in the dog on or before delivery to the purchaser. Intestinal or external parasites
shall not be considered to adversely affect an animal's health unless their presence
makes the animal
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§ 4-25-5. Purchaser remedies.
(a) A purchaser is entitled to relief from the seller after the purchase of a dog if one
of the following conditions occurs:
(1) Within twenty (20) days after the purchase of the dog, a licensed veterinarian states
in writing that the animal is suffering from or has died from an illness, disease
or other defect adversely affecting the animal's health and that this condition existed
in the dog on or before delivery to the purchaser. Intestinal or external parasites
shall not be considered to adversely affect an animal's health unless their presence
makes the animal clinically ill.
(2) Within two (2) years after the purchase of the animal, a licensed veterinarian states
in writing that the animal possesses or has died from a congenital or hereditary condition
adversely affecting the health of the animal or that requires hospitalization or nonelective
surgical procedures.
(b) A purchaser entitled to relief herein may elect only one of the following remedies:
(1) Return the animal to the seller for a full refund of the purchase price and also reimbursement
for reasonable veterinarian fees for diagnosis and treatment in an amount not to exceed
the original purchase price of the animal.
(2) Exchange the animal for another one which the purchaser may choose having comparable
value if a replacement is available and also receive reimbursement for reasonable
veterinary fees for diagnosis and treatment in an amount not to exceed the original
purchase price of the animal; or
(3) Retain the animal and also receive reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees for
diagnosis and treatment in an amount not to exceed the original purchase price of
the animal.
(c) For purposes of this section, veterinary fees shall be deemed reasonable if the services
rendered are appropriate for the diagnosis and treatment of the illness or congenital
or hereditary condition. The cost of such services shall be comparable to that charged
for similar services by other Rhode Island veterinarians. A veterinary fee shall be
presumed reasonable in the absence of evidence to the contrary.
(d) Refunds and payment of reimbursable expenses pursuant to this section shall be made
by the seller to the purchaser within ten (10) business days following receipt by
seller of veterinarians statement as per subsection 4-25-5(a) herein.