Text: SF02401 Text: SF02403 Text: SF02400 - SF02499 Text: SF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 552B.1 DEFINITIONS. 1 2 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 1 3 requires: 1 4 1. "Defect" means a disease, illness, or congenital or 1 5 hereditary condition which impairs the health or function of a 1 6 pet, if the defect is apparent at the time of sale, or should 1 7 be apparent at the time of the sale, from the veterinary 1 8 history of the pet. 1 9 2. "Pet" means a dog, wholly or in part of the species 1 10 canis familiaris, or a cat, wholly or in part of the species 1 11 felis domesticus. 1 12 3. "Pet breeder" means any person engaged in the business 1 13 of breeding pets for sale on a retail basis or resale. 1 14 4. "Pet broker" means a person engaged in the business of 1 15 selling pets for resale. 1 16 5. "Pet dealer" means a person engaged in the business of 1 17 selling pets on a retail basis. However, a pet dealer does 1 18 not include any of the following: 1 19 a. A person who receives less than five hundred dollars 1 20 from the sale of pets on a retail basis during a twelve-month 1 21 period. 1 22 b. A person who sells less than six pets on a retail basis 1 23 during a twelve-month period. 1 24 c. A pound or animal shelter as defined in section 162.2. 1 25 6. "Reasonable veterinary fees" means fees charged by an 1 26 attending veterinarian for the examination or testing for, or 1 27 the diagnosis of a defect in a pet or prescribing any related 1 28 treatment required to correct or alleviate the defect or 1 29 suffering caused by the defect, if the cost of the service is 1 30 comparable to that of a similar service. 1 31 7. "Registration documents" means documents which are 1 32 required by an animal pedigree organization to prove that a 1 33 pet is eligible to be registered with the organization as 1 34 belonging to a specific breed type. 1 35 8. "Retail purchaser" means a person who is sold a pet on 2 1 a retail basis by a pet dealer. 2 2 9. "Sale" means any commercial transfer of a pet for 2 3 consideration, including a sale on a retail basis, resale, 2 4 exchange, barter, trade, or offer for sale on a retail basis, 2 5 resale, exchange, barter, or trade in any manner or by any 2 6 means. 2 7 10. "Sale on a retail basis" means the sale of a pet to a 2 8 person for personal use or as a gift to another person. 2 9 11. "Veterinarian" means a person licensed as a 2 10 veterinarian or the holder of a valid temporary permit issued 2 11 by the Iowa board of veterinary medicine pursuant to chapter 2 12 169. 2 13 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 552B.2 PURCHASE STATEMENTS. 2 14 A pet dealer shall provide the following purchase 2 15 statements to a retail purchaser at the time of sale: 2 16 1. a. Except as provided in paragraph "b", a printed 2 17 disclosure statement which provides all of the following: 2 18 (1) The name, address, and United States department of 2 19 agriculture license number of the pet breeder and any pet 2 20 broker who has had possession of the pet. 2 21 (2) The date of the pet's birth. 2 22 (3) The date the pet dealer received the pet. 2 23 (4) The breed type, sex, color, and identifying marks of 2 24 the pet. 2 25 (5) A tattoo, electronic identification device, or other 2 26 means which permanently identifies the pet. 2 27 (6) The name and registration number of the sire and dam. 2 28 (7) The litter number. 2 29 (8) A record of inoculations, worming treatments, and 2 30 medication received by the pet while in the possession of the 2 31 pet dealer. 2 32 (9) The date of a veterinary examination performed 2 33 pursuant to section 552B.5. 2 34 If information required to be provided in this paragraph 2 35 "a" is not available and cannot be determined by the pet 3 1 dealer, the disclosure statement shall state that the 3 2 information cannot be determined. 3 3 b. The disclosure required in paragraph "a" is not 3 4 required if the pet is of a mixed breed. 3 5 2. A health statement signed by the pet dealer verifying 3 6 all of the following: 3 7 a. Any known hereditary defect of a parent of the pet. 3 8 b. Either of the following: 3 9 (1) The pet has no known defect. 3 10 (2) A description of each of the pet's known defects and a 3 11 statement signed by a veterinarian that recommends necessary 3 12 treatment. 3 13 3. a. A written statement of rights, which shall be 3 14 signed by the retail purchaser prior to the sale. The notice 3 15 shall contain in sixteen point boldface type the following in 3 16 the same language that is used in the purchase contract: 3 17 STATEMENT OF RIGHTS: 3 18 THE RETAIL PURCHASE OF DOGS AND CATS 3 19 IOWA LAW PROVIDES SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT PET PURCHASERS AND 3 20 PET DEALERS CONCERNING SALES OF PETS WITH SERIOUS HEALTH 3 21 CONDITIONS OR REPRESENTED AS ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION WITH AN 3 22 ANIMAL PEDIGREE ORGANIZATION. ATTACHED IS A COPY OF IOWA CODE 3 23 CHAPTER 552B. BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING 3 24 THAT YOU HAVE REVIEWED INFORMATION PROVIDED TO YOU REGARDING 3 25 THE PET FOR SALE AND UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS AND THE 3 26 OBLIGATIONS OF THE PET DEALER UNDER STATE LAW. 3 27 b. A pet dealer shall maintain a copy of the statement of 3 28 rights delivered to the retail purchaser as part of the pet 3 29 dealer's business records for at least one year following the 3 30 sale. 3 31 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 552B.3 NOTICE TO RETAIL PURCHASERS. 3 32 A pet dealer shall post in a prominent location in the pet 3 33 dealer's place of business a sign containing a notice in at 3 34 least forty-eight point boldface type stating the following: 3 35 NOTICE: PURCHASERS OF DOGS AND CATS 4 1 WHEN PURCHASING A DOG OR CAT YOU ARE ENTITLED UNDER IOWA 4 2 LAW TO A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, HEALTH STATEMENT, AND A 4 3 STATEMENT OF RIGHTS. MAKE SURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THIS 4 4 INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. 4 5 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 552B.4 REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS. 4 6 1. If a pet dealer selling a pet to a retail purchaser 4 7 represents that the pet is eligible for registration with an 4 8 animal pedigree organization, the pet dealer shall deliver to 4 9 the retail purchaser all necessary registration documents for 4 10 the pet within ninety days following the payment of all 4 11 consideration to complete the sale. 4 12 2. A retail purchaser who does not receive registration 4 13 documents from the pet dealer as provided in this section may 4 14 demand a refund from the pet dealer. 4 15 a. The retail purchaser must make the demand within ninety 4 16 days following the last date in which the pet dealer was 4 17 required to deliver the registration documents. 4 18 b. The pet dealer is not required to comply with the 4 19 demand if the pet dealer provides the registration documents 4 20 to the retail purchaser. If the pet dealer fails to provide 4 21 the registration documents to the retail purchaser, the pet 4 22 dealer shall pay a refund as demanded by the retail purchaser. 4 23 The retail purchaser may demand one of the following refunds: 4 24 (1) Fifty percent of the sales payment, if the retail 4 25 purchaser elects to keep the pet. 4 26 (2) One hundred percent of the sales payment, if the 4 27 retail purchaser elects to return the pet with any 4 28 registration document provided to the retail purchaser. 4 29 3. A pet dealer shall not be responsible for delays in 4 30 registration which are the result of persons other than the 4 31 pet dealer. 4 32 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 552B.5 VETERINARY EXAMINATIONS 4 33 REQUIRED. 4 34 1. A pet broker shall not sell a pet to a pet dealer or 4 35 receive a pet for resale by the broker unless the pet has been 5 1 examined for defects by a veterinarian. The veterinarian used 5 2 by a pet broker shall not be the same veterinarian used by the 5 3 pet dealer. A veterinarian shall not be civilly liable for 5 4 failing to diagnose a defect, unless the failure is actuated 5 5 by malice or is grossly negligent. 5 6 2. a. Except as provided in paragraph "b", a pet must be 5 7 examined by a veterinarian at least thirty days before one of 5 8 the following occurs: 5 9 (1) A pet broker delivers the pet to a pet dealer. 5 10 (2) A pet dealer sells the pet to a retail purchaser. The 5 11 cost of the examination shall be paid by the pet dealer. 5 12 b. This subsection does not apply if the pet dealer is the 5 13 pet breeder of the pet. 5 14 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 552B.6 PETS UNFIT FOR SALE 5 15 RIGHTS, PROCEDURES, AND AVAILABLE REMEDIES. 5 16 1. a. A pet shall be considered to be unfit for sale if 5 17 after a pet dealer transfers possession of the pet to a retail 5 18 purchaser, an examining veterinarian states in writing that 5 19 the pet has a defect which existed at the time the retail 5 20 purchaser took possession. 5 21 b. A retail purchaser may not demand a remedy under this 5 22 section if any of the following applies: 5 23 (1) A defect occurred subsequent to the pet dealer 5 24 relinquishing possession of the pet. 5 25 (2) A health statement provided to the retail purchaser 5 26 pursuant to section 552B.2 described the defect. 5 27 (3) The retail purchaser failed to carry out recommended 5 28 treatment described in a health statement provided to the 5 29 retail purchaser pursuant to section 552B.2. 5 30 2. If a pet declared unfit for sale has not died because 5 31 of a defect, the retail purchaser may demand one of the 5 32 following: 5 33 a. The return of the pet to the pet dealer for a refund of 5 34 the full purchase price. 5 35 b. The exchange of the pet for a pet of the retail 6 1 purchaser's choice of equivalent value, providing a 6 2 replacement is available, and reimbursement for reasonable 6 3 veterinary fees relating to the care of a defective pet. 6 4 However, the amount of reimbursement shall not exceed the 6 5 retail purchase price of the pet. 6 6 c. Reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees relating 6 7 to the care of a defective pet. However, the amount of 6 8 reimbursement shall not exceed the retail purchase price of 6 9 the pet. 6 10 3. If the pet is declared unfit for sale because of a 6 11 defect, and has died because of a defect, the retail purchaser 6 12 may demand one of the following: 6 13 a. A refund of the full purchase price. 6 14 b. A pet of equal value, if available, and the 6 15 reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees. However, the 6 16 amount of reimbursement shall not exceed the retail purchase 6 17 price of the pet. 6 18 4. If a retail purchaser claims that a pet is unfit for 6 19 sale all of the following shall apply: 6 20 a. The retail purchaser must discover the defect within 6 21 one year after the retail purchaser took possession of a pet 6 22 purchased from the pet dealer. 6 23 b. The retail purchaser must notify the pet dealer within 6 24 two business days of a diagnosis by a veterinarian confirming 6 25 the defect. The retail purchaser must provide the pet dealer 6 26 with the name and telephone number of the veterinarian and a 6 27 copy of the veterinarian's report concerning the diagnosis of 6 28 the defect. If the pet has died, the retail purchaser must 6 29 provide the pet dealer a written statement from a 6 30 veterinarian, indicating the pet died from a defect. 6 31 c. If the retail purchaser demands a full refund for a pet 6 32 which is not dead or demands a pet of equal value and payment 6 33 for reasonable veterinary fees, the retail purchaser must 6 34 return the pet to the pet dealer within two business days of a 6 35 diagnosis by a veterinarian confirming the defect. 7 1 d. Upon request by a pet dealer contesting a demand, the 7 2 retail purchaser must deliver the pet to a veterinarian 7 3 designated by the pet dealer for purposes of examination or 7 4 autopsy. The pet dealer shall pay the cost of the examination 7 5 or autopsy. If, according to the veterinarian's examination 7 6 or autopsy, a defect did not exist before the time when the 7 7 pet dealer transferred possession of the pet to the retail 7 8 purchaser, the pet dealer is not obligated to provide a remedy 7 9 under this section and may recover reasonable veterinary fees 7 10 from the retail purchaser. 7 11 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION. 552B.7 CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION. 7 12 If a pet dealer does not provide a remedy to a retail 7 13 purchaser as specified in this chapter, the retail purchaser 7 14 may bring a civil action in district court for the remedies 7 15 provided in this section. In addition to any remedy awarded, 7 16 the court shall award the prevailing party the reasonable 7 17 costs of suit, including but not limited to reasonable court 7 18 costs and attorney fees, not to exceed five hundred dollars. 7 19 Sec. 8. NEW SECTION. 552B.8 PENALTIES. 7 20 1. A pet dealer who does any of the following is subject 7 21 to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars: 7 22 a. Sells an animal without delivery of a purchase 7 23 statement in violation of section 552B.2. 7 24 b. Fails to maintain records of a notice of rights in 7 25 violation of section 552B.2. 7 26 c. Fails to post a notice informing retail purchasers of 7 27 their rights in violation of section 552B.3. 7 28 d. Fails to provide registration documents as required 7 29 pursuant to section 552B.4. 7 30 e. Receives an unexamined pet from a broker without a 7 31 veterinary examination or sells an unexamined pet to a retail 7 32 purchaser in violation of section 552B.5. 7 33 2. Civil penalties collected pursuant to this section 7 34 shall be deposited into the general fund of the state. 7 35 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION. 552B.9 EFFECT OF CHAPTER. 8 1 1. This chapter does not limit the rights or remedies 8 2 which are otherwise available to a person under any other law. 8 3 2. An agreement or contract which waives any rights or 8 4 obligations under this chapter shall be null and void and 8 5 shall be unenforceable. However, this section shall not 8 6 prohibit parties from settlement following a demand by a 8 7 retail purchaser as provided in this chapter. 8 8 EXPLANATION 8 9 This bill regulates the sale of dogs and cats by pet 8 10 dealers by establishing a new Code chapter designed to provide 8 11 purchasers with notice and remedies when a purchased pet has 8 12 some defect or is misrepresented during the sale. The bill 8 13 defines defect as a disease or illness, or a congenital or 8 14 hereditary condition which impairs the pet's health and 8 15 function. The defect must be apparent or should have been 8 16 apparent to the dealer at the time of the sale. The bill 8 17 provides that certain persons are not regulated as pet 8 18 dealers, even though they are engaged in the business of 8 19 selling dogs and cats. These include persons selling a 8 20 limited number of pets or who receive limited revenue from 8 21 their sale, pounds, and humane societies. 8 22 The bill provides that a pet dealer must provide three 8 23 types of statements to a purchaser. The first statement is a 8 24 disclosure form listing known facts about the pet, including 8 25 its breed, identifying information, and personal and medical 8 26 history. The second statement relates to the pet's health and 8 27 must be signed by a veterinarian. The third statement is a 8 28 printed notice of rights, which must be signed by the 8 29 purchaser prior to the sale. The notice contains language 8 30 designed to make the purchaser aware of legal rights and 8 31 obligations. The bill requires a pet dealer to maintain 8 32 copies of the notices of rights with the dealer's business 8 33 records. The pet dealer must also post a sign notifying 8 34 purchasers of their rights which must be prominently displayed 8 35 in the dealer's place of business. 9 1 According to the bill, if a pet dealer represents that the 9 2 pet is eligible for registration with an animal pedigree 9 3 organization, the pet dealer must deliver to the retail 9 4 purchaser registration documents within a limited time. If 9 5 the pet dealer fails to do this due to some fault of the 9 6 dealer, the purchaser may make a demand upon the dealer which 9 7 may require the dealer to deliver the documents or refund some 9 8 or all of the pet's purchase price to the purchaser. 9 9 The bill requires a pet dealer to provide for a veterinary 9 10 examination of the pet. 9 11 The bill contains a provision which provides a purchaser 9 12 with remedies if a purchased pet is found to be unfit for sale 9 13 after a veterinarian's examination. The pet must be found to 9 14 have had a defect which existed at the time the purchaser took 9 15 possession of the pet. No remedy is available if unfitness 9 16 was due to a defect caused by the purchaser or the purchaser 9 17 knew of the pet's condition from reading the purchase 9 18 statements. The bill places procedural requirements upon 9 19 making a demand, including time limits upon discovering the 9 20 condition and notifying the pet dealer. The bill also 9 21 requires the purchaser to provide proof of a defect namely by 9 22 providing a veterinarian's opinion or delivering the pet or 9 23 the pet's carcass for examination by the pet dealer or the 9 24 dealer's own veterinarian. If a pet's condition is proved, 9 25 the purchaser may return the pet for a refund, exchange the 9 26 pet for an equivalent pet, and be reimbursed for applicable 9 27 veterinarian services. 9 28 The bill grants the purchaser the right to take a claim to 9 29 court if the parties cannot otherwise settle the dispute. The 9 30 bill provides that the court must award the prevailing party 9 31 the reasonable costs of suit, including but not limited to 9 32 reasonable court costs and attorney fees, but not more than 9 33 $500. 9 34 Finally, the bill establishes a number of penalties 9 35 applicable to a pet dealer violating the bill's provisions. 10 1 The penalty is a civil rather than a criminal penalty, and 10 2 cannot exceed $1,000. 10 3 LSB 3324SV 77 10 4 da/cf/24.1
Text: SF02401 Text: SF02403 Text: SF02400 - SF02499 Text: SF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
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