- Joined
- Jul 27, 2011
- Messages
- 1,696
- Points
- 0
Take note for those who may one day purchase a pet.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1188720/1/.html
"Lemon law" also applies to pets
By Qiuyi Tan | Posted: 13 March 2012 1706 hrs
SINGAPORE: The newly-passed "Lemon Law" will apply to the sale of pets when it takes effect on September 1.
Under the law, consumers can return a defective product to the retailer within six months, and ask for repairs, a replacement or a refund.
However, the law does not define what constitutes a defect, only that it should conform to the sale contract. The law therefore provides flexibility for both retailer and consumer to work out a mutually-acceptable agreement.
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) said it will advocate for buyers who can establish that the pet was sick at the time of purchase, for instance.
Its vice president, Lim Biow Chuan, said that each case will have to be considered carefully.
Mr Lim said: "I think animals are more complicated because they are living things. Part of the issue would be that what happens to the animal once it leaves the pet shop.
"So if for example if a pet owner does not take care and the pet falls ill, or develops some disease or contracts some viruses, then whose fault is it? So that is a very factual dispute."
A case that cannot be resolved between the buyer and seller can go to court, starting at the Small Claims Tribunal, and even to the High Court.
Consumers can be confident that the lemon law would apply if they purchase pets from established retailers. The law applies to all commercial transactions, including home breeders who put up pets for sale on the Internet, for instance. But consumers should pay attention to receipts and health certificates.
Animal welfare groups like the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) see the law as a modest step towards improving the pet retail sector.
Its executive director, Corinne Fong, said: "Breeders have to raise the bar on how they do breeding. If they are conscientious, good commercial breeders, they will take pains to ensure the animals that they have are in good condition before they are sold to pet stores.
"The unscrupulous ones and the ones that really do not pay attention to breeding facilities will probably have no pet store to sell to if their pets are not in good condition."
However, there remain concerns about potential consumer abuses.
What happens to a "returned" pet?
Ms Fong said: "In all honesty? I think the pets are put down...But what happens is there are some conscientious pet breeders who may put the word out to animal welfare groups. And these well- intentioned animal welfare people will come in and take the sick pet off their hands. It isn't the best solution."
SPCA's suggestion is a retailers' fund, or a sanctuary to care for these so-called "lemons" for the rest of their lives.
- CNA/ms
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1188720/1/.html
"Lemon law" also applies to pets
By Qiuyi Tan | Posted: 13 March 2012 1706 hrs
SINGAPORE: The newly-passed "Lemon Law" will apply to the sale of pets when it takes effect on September 1.
Under the law, consumers can return a defective product to the retailer within six months, and ask for repairs, a replacement or a refund.
However, the law does not define what constitutes a defect, only that it should conform to the sale contract. The law therefore provides flexibility for both retailer and consumer to work out a mutually-acceptable agreement.
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) said it will advocate for buyers who can establish that the pet was sick at the time of purchase, for instance.
Its vice president, Lim Biow Chuan, said that each case will have to be considered carefully.
Mr Lim said: "I think animals are more complicated because they are living things. Part of the issue would be that what happens to the animal once it leaves the pet shop.
"So if for example if a pet owner does not take care and the pet falls ill, or develops some disease or contracts some viruses, then whose fault is it? So that is a very factual dispute."
A case that cannot be resolved between the buyer and seller can go to court, starting at the Small Claims Tribunal, and even to the High Court.
Consumers can be confident that the lemon law would apply if they purchase pets from established retailers. The law applies to all commercial transactions, including home breeders who put up pets for sale on the Internet, for instance. But consumers should pay attention to receipts and health certificates.
Animal welfare groups like the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) see the law as a modest step towards improving the pet retail sector.
Its executive director, Corinne Fong, said: "Breeders have to raise the bar on how they do breeding. If they are conscientious, good commercial breeders, they will take pains to ensure the animals that they have are in good condition before they are sold to pet stores.
"The unscrupulous ones and the ones that really do not pay attention to breeding facilities will probably have no pet store to sell to if their pets are not in good condition."
However, there remain concerns about potential consumer abuses.
What happens to a "returned" pet?
Ms Fong said: "In all honesty? I think the pets are put down...But what happens is there are some conscientious pet breeders who may put the word out to animal welfare groups. And these well- intentioned animal welfare people will come in and take the sick pet off their hands. It isn't the best solution."
SPCA's suggestion is a retailers' fund, or a sanctuary to care for these so-called "lemons" for the rest of their lives.
- CNA/ms
