Can I Return a Puppy to the Seller?
Q.I know this sounds really awful but we bought a puppy from a store about three weeks ago. He has started biting and snapping when you take things away, he will snap at your face and he is just not settling in. We are even more worried because he is a rottweiler and is going to become too big to handle if we can't get the behaviour under control, we would like to know if we have any rights to return him or not?
A.
A Rottweiler puppy is a big thing to take on, in more ways than one. His behaviour sounds unfortunate, and understandably worrying. The store's website says all their puppies come with a six month guarantee, and they’re a well-established business. The first course of action is to read that guarantee and see what it says about returning the animal, and what conditions apply.
You can also consider obedience training for the puppy, which could well cure him of this aggressive behaviour. It’s a good idea for any dog, but especially when a breed is large and powerful, and noted for its aggressive tendencies in the first place. They need a lot of control.
Ultimately, though, this is a consumer rights issue. Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 an item has to be as described, of satisfactory quality, and safe. Since the dog is showing aggressive behaviour, then he could reasonably be described as not safe, which means you could return him under the provisions of the Act. He may be an animal with a personality, but the fact that you bought him ultimately makes him an item.
Realistically, the best course of action is to contact the seller and describe the problem. They might well have suggestions that will help you to keep and train the dog so that he becomes a satisfactory pet. That’s worth a try, as you have a 'reasonable time' in which to examine the goods you buy for defects. A lot probably depends on whether you’re willing to make that attempt, or if the dog’s behaviour has scared you to the point that you simply want to return him. If the latter is the case, you’d be entitled to a refund or a replacement (the Act also specifies repair as an option, but obviously that can’t apply here!). All of this might well be covered under their guarantee, anyway (their site doesn’t give details on what’s in there), meaning you don’t need to stand on the Sale of Goods Act at all.
Quite simply, talk to the seller first, and the chances are that you’ll find this can be resolved simply and quickly.
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