New England Pet Center Dba Debby's PetLand ripoff, sold very sick puppy claiming it was kennel cough and being handled by prospective buyers a lot, failure to completey reimburse for extensive medical bills, Holyoke Massachusetts

On Sept. 12, 2005 I purchased an 8 week old Pekingnese puppy. I asked if it was alright because he was very listless and not acting at all like a puppy. I was told that he had been handled a lot by prospective buyers and that he "might have a touch of kennel cough". That night I had to call the emergency number because the pup was gasping for air with his mouth wide open.

I spoke with their veterinarian, Dr. Mark Verbin and his concern was that the pup was getting enough to eat because of being a toy breed it would bring down the sugar level and make him listless. The following day, 9/13/05 I brought the pup to my own vet and he had a severe upper respiratory infection and gunk was running out of his eyes and nose, he was put on antibiotics. On Sept. 22, 2005 we returned to the vets because he still had gunk coming out of his nose and had diarrhea so bad nothing stayed in him long enough for him to get any nutrition from it.

He was diagnosed with coccidia parasites and a severe mite problem. Again, he was put on medication. On Oct. 3, 2005 we returned again because he was still tearing at his ears (thinking it was the mites), he had itched so much that he had scabs all over his body and several spots that were bald. He endured a scrape test and was then placed on medication for his skin. On Oct. 11, 2005 we returned yet again to the vet, this time he endured two scrape tests and it revealed sarcoptic mites (mange). Which, is very contagious to other dogs and people. We have a young child and another dog. October 17, 2005 I had to leave him at the vets all day to endure a treatment for the mange. Because he's so little he had to be monitored in case he ended up having a neurological problem. Now he goes through another treatment on Nov. 3, 2005 and hopefully this will cure the mange.

Needless to say, to date not only have we purchased a very sickly pup at the cost of $1,115.00 but we have incurred $786.35 worth of medical bills. We have only been reimbursed $430.00 and that took an act of God. I have gotten phone bills because of having to call Canton, Ma dozens of times.

I feel that this company should reimburse us 100% and also reduce the original cost of the pup. This company shouldn't just be held liable for the monatary costs, they should be closed down and fined for the unbelievable abuse they subject these poor innocent animals to. They should be monitored no less than on a monthly basis and not receive prior notice of such surprise inspections.

There is no way that my husband or I will ever believe that they didn't know this little guy was so sick. He didn't even hold his head up. I had to make sure he got enough fluids by using a syringe on an hourly basis.

Sabrina
Southampton, Massachusetts
U.S.A.