Sick puppy

About two months ago, I went to Gajah Mada Plaza to shop for a German Shepherd puppy. I have always loved the character of this breed and decided to get one as a family pet. After several trips, I decided on a two-and-a-half-old month female from the Panda Pet Shop. The dog has a tattoo which we were told is proof of pedigree and that she has a pedigree certificate which we could pick up later.

Knowing how to deal with puppies, she was kept indoors for the night with a sleeping basket and blanket. To our disappointment, we woke up the next morning to find her sick with a running nose and diarrhea. It went on for two days then we decided to take her to Dr. Monty, a well-known veterinarian, and later to Dr. Sikar, famous veterinarian who has devoted his life saving animals.

Medications were given to help the puppy but it did no good at all. Dr. Sikar suspects the dog could be in-bred as she did not respond to the medication and boosters given.

We decided to call the pet shop owner to ask for the pedigree certificate and told her about the puppy's condition. The owner did nothing at all but declaim all responsibility, claiming the sale closed and refusing a refund or to exchange the puppy for another. After further argument she said she could heal the puppy at her house if we sent her there, or exchange her for another puppy at half the price of the new puppy, which is Rp 1.5 million. We bought ours for Rp 850,000 which means to say that we would have to pay another Rp 750,000 for the exchange.

We took the puppy to the pet shop owner and she was there for a total of two weeks. Then we took her home. The puppy did get slightly better, but this time her front paws were mangled. She could not stand on her front paws properly and thus walked with a limp in both legs.

Today the puppy is in the care of Dr. Sikar at his home in Bogor. We do not know whether she will fully recover.

The Panda Pet Shop in Gajah Mada Plaza apparently takes no responsibility for a dog or cat after a sale. To them, the animals are just normal commodities. Today we are still waiting to get the puppy's pedigree certificate. I hope there are authorities in Indonesia who could look into this matter to protect consumers and animals.

DANIEL SEOW

Jakarta