Sec. 6. (a) A customer who purchases a dog from a retail pet store is entitled to a remedy under subsection (c) if:

(1) not later than fourteen (14) days after the date of sale, a licensed veterinarian states in writing that:

(A) at the time of sale the dog was unfit for purchase due to illness, a disease, or the presence of symptoms of a contagious or infectious disease that are extreme enough to influence the general health of the dog, excluding fleas or ticks; or

(B) the dog has died from a disease that existed in the dog on or before the date of delivery of the dog to the customer; or

(2) not later than two (2) years after the date of sale, a licensed veterinarian states in writing that the dog:

(A) possesses a congenital or hereditary condition that severely affects the health of the dog or requires either hospitalization or a nonelective surgical procedure; or

(B) has died of a congenital or hereditary condition.

     (b) The veterinarian’s statement under subsection (a) must include:

(1) the customer’s name and address;

(2) a statement that the veterinarian examined the dog;

(3) the date or dates that the dog was examined;

(4) the breed and age of the dog, if known;

(5) a statement that the dog has or had a disease, illness, or congenital or hereditary condition; and

(6) the findings of the examination or necropsy, including any lab results or copies of the results.

     (c) A customer entitled to a remedy under this section may elect to do the following:

(1) If the dog is alive, retain the dog and be reimbursed for reasonable veterinary fees for diagnosis and treatment of the dog, not to exceed the purchase price of the dog.

(2) If the dog is deceased, be reimbursed:

(A) the full purchase price of the dog; and

(B) reasonable veterinary fees associated with the diagnosis and treatment of the dog, not to exceed the purchase price of the dog.

As added by P.L.4-2024, SEC.25.