(a) A pet shop licensee shall, prior to offering a dog or cat for sale and thereafter at intervals of fifteen days until such dog or cat is sold, provide for examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384. Such licensee shall maintain a record of the veterinary services rendered for each dog or cat offered for sale.

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(b) (1) If, (A) within twenty days of sale, any such dog or cat becomes ill or dies of any illness which existed in such dog or cat at the time of the sale, or (B) within six months of sale, any such dog or cat is diagnosed with a congenital defect that adversely affects or will adversely affect the health of such dog or cat, such licensee shall: (i) Reimburse such consumer for the value of the actual services and medications provided to such dog or cat by any veterinarian licensed pursuant to chapter 384 for the treatment of such illness or congenital defect upon the presentation by such consumer to such licensee of a certificate from such veterinarian that such dog or cat suffers or suffered from such illness or congenital defect, provided such reimbursement shall not exceed (I) the full purchase price of such dog or cat for any dog or cat purchased for five hundred dollars or more, and (II) five hundred dollars for any dog or cat purchased for less than five hundred dollars. No licensee may require the consumer to return such dog or cat to such licensee to receive such reimbursement, or (ii) at the option of such consumer, replace the dog or cat or refund in full the purchase price of such dog or cat: (I) In the case of illness or such congenital defect, upon return of the dog or cat to the pet shop and the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 and selected by the consumer, stating that the dog or cat is ill from a condition which existed at the time of sale, or suffers from such congenital defect, and (II) in the case of death, the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 and selected by the consumer, stating that the dog or cat died from an illness or a congenital defect which existed at the time of sale. The presentation of such certificate shall be sufficient proof to claim reimbursement or replacement and the return of such deceased dog or cat to the pet shop shall not be required. Any such consumer may seek the assistance of the Commissioner of Agriculture in the event that the licensee fails to reimburse such consumer in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. No such refund or replacement shall be made if such illness or death resulted from maltreatment or neglect by a person other than the licensee or such licensee’s agent or employee. A licensee shall not be subject to the obligations imposed by this subsection for the sale of a cat where such cat has been spayed or neutered prior to its sale.

(2) Each pet shop licensee who sells dogs or cats shall post a statement of customer rights pursuant to this section in a location that is readily visible to the public and also provide a copy of such statement to any purchaser of a dog or cat at the time of purchase. The commissioner shall prescribe the content of such statement. Any statement of customer rights posted pursuant to this section shall be printed in black lettering of not less than twenty point size upon a white background. Any licensee who violates the provisions of this subdivision shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars.

(c) Any licensee who violates any provision of subsection (a) or subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars. Any fine assessed pursuant to this subsection for a failure to reimburse a consumer, as described in subsection (b) of this section, shall not preclude or be in lieu of any such reimbursement.