Pennsylvania Puppy Law

Pennsylvania's dog sellers and breeders must now post a notice of consumer's rights under the state's Dog Purchaser Protection Act, also known as the "Puppy Lemon Law." Sellers and breeders must also provide a written copy of your rights at the time of the sale. The law is enforced by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, with a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation in addition to other penalties.

The law requires the owner to give you a written copy of a health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 21 days prior to the date of sale OR a guarantee of good health signed by the seller. You must take your newly purchased dog to a veterinarian within 10 days of purchase. If a veterinarian determines that your dog is ill or has died from an injury sustained or illness caught before the date of sale and delivery, you can either return the dog for a complete refund, return the dog for a replacement dog of equal value, or keep the dog and receive reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees. If a veterinarian finds that your dog has a severe congenital or hereditary defect within 30 days of the sale, or that your dog died from a congenital or hereditary defect, you have the same options. The seller is only protected from these rules if he told you in advance of the illness or injury.

Under this law, you have only 2 business days to notify the seller of your dog's illness, defect or death. You must give the seller the name, address and telephone number of the examining veterinarian. You must also give the seller the veterinarian certification within 5 days after you receive it. The seller must then refund or reimburse you within 14 days.

If you buy a registrable dog and the seller does not give you within 120 days all the documentation necessary to register that dog, you can either return the dog and receive a full refund of the purchase price, or keep the dog and receive a 50% refund of the purchase price. The seller must give you at the time of sale the breeder's name and address, the name and registration number of the dam and sire, and the name and address of the pedigree registry organization where the dam and sire are registered.