§ 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.

History of Section. (P.L. 2007, ch. 328, § 1.)