No AKC Papers From Breeder

[Tracy A.]

I purchased a Maltese puppy 2 months ago. The breeder advertised the Maltese puppy as AKC and we signed a Purchase Agreement stating she sold me 1 female A.K.C. Maltese puppy. She told me the forms to fill out will be forthcoming. She is mad at me because there was a mix up with the sex of the puppy. That issue got resolved. She has since informed me that the "application has been submitted, accepted, and approved" and that she has the official American Kennel Club documents in her possession, yet she has made no attempt to mail them to me because she is mad, although I have asked her twice to send them. I want the AKC papers so that I can register my puppy. Can I sue for the AKC papers is Small Claims Court? What do I put in the line where it asks "Amount of money claimed", since my intention is to sue for the AKC papers? I live in the state of Michigan.

Tracy

 

[JETX]

You are going to have to determine what your 'damages' are in this case. As I see it, your only damages are the value of a dog with AKC registration and one without. That could be as little as the cost of filing.

What you are probably intent on doing is to claim a large enough amount that the defendant will agree to provide the papers (IF they are available!!) instead of taking a chance at a large judgment.

So, determine your damages... were you intending on breeding the dog (litter would be more valuable with the AKC registration, etc.)??

 

[Burtha]

Hi,
Fellow Maltese owner! You CAN request duplicate registration papers, I dont understand why the lady/breeder is mad. All she has to do is sign the forms and forward them to you. Send her a SASE!!! We are having problems with AKC right now, they are revising the rules, so it is frustrating. HOWEVER! It was is the breeders responcabilty to correctly fill out the forms by checking the, SEX, COLOR, MARKINGS, all the owner is soppsed to do is choose a name. AKC gave me a heck of a time with my last dog I registered, the breeder spelled my name wrong & I had to go through the same hassle & they suspended my dog. I did the
SASE and got them right away.

 

[Tracy A.]

Thanks for the post. I don't know if requesting duplicate registration papers from AKC is that easy. I contacted AKC and provided breeder's name along with the litter # which was on the Purchase Agreement. They responded back to me stating they have no information on her in their system at that address and that the litter # is for a Doberman. (Not sure what is going on)

She is mad at me because I thought she sold me a male Maltese puppy instead of a female. (Long story made short...my vets technicians mistakenly informed me she was a he. She has an prominent vulva along with a hair pattern that resembles a male). The Breeder knew I wanted a female for breeding, so when I contacted her she refused to look at the puppy, or do anything to reassure me that this puppy was a female. I filed papers in Small Claims Court because I thought the puppy was a male. When I found out that the puppy was actually a female, (full exam by vet) I sent her an apology letter and asked her to provide me info/documentation so that I can register my puppy with AKC. She wrote me a nasty letter telling me I slandered her, made false accusations against her, ruined her reputation, etc. In that letter she made sure to brag about the fact that she had the AKC papers for my puppy in her possession. That's my proof to show the judge in Small Claims Court. She is just being vindictive. Before I sue her in Small Claims Court, I will send her another letter asking her again to send the forms.

Please explain what a SASE is, where I can obtain it, and maybe any other help you can provide. Thanks again.

Tracy

 

[Burtha]

AKC

WOW. AKC has a website. It sounds like the "Breeder" gave you bogus info if the litter #s come back to a Doberman, Maltese usually begin with TM with #'s following it. AKC would provide you with written duplicates if you can provide them with either
the sire or dams reg. #. Look for the TM # and either call AKC or visit the website. SASE= Self addressed stamped envelope...
send her it requesting your registration papers... Make sure they are not checked limited, or you will NOT be able to breed your dog.
She might pull that too!
Good luck.