Before you buy a Black Russian Terrier 

Hi, my name is Cathy Glidden

 

I have been trying for over a year to get a healthy puppy from Russian Bear Kennels. After nearly spending twice as much as a puppy should cost, I have lost faith in Helene Haldi and her kennel and I just want my money back. Back on November 6th 2013,I wrote the following email to Helene:​

 

I have been a very patient person. But my patience has reached it's end. I chose you to supply me with a puppy because you are rated as a Breeder of Merit by AKC. That hasn't been my experience. I wonder if I tell them my experiences with you, the half truths, the outright lies, how they'd feel about you keeping that title. I wonder how everyone on the facebook blogs would feel, or those at the Black Russian Club of America for that matter. Helene, I will give you until December 21st, at 5pm to return my $2500. After that, I will tell my experiences with you to everyone that will listen. I will not slander you, there is no need, I will just speak the truth. I will create a web site that talks all about my experiences with you. My husband is a web master, and I have no doubt that he can get the site nearly as close to the top as yours, when people search for your name or Kennel, they will see my site. If I have to lose the nearly $4000 dollars that I have invested trying to get a dog from you, I will make sure that the world knows what kind of person you are. If you refund my money, I will not do any of the above mentioned items, at this point, I am past caring. You choose.

Well Dec 21st came and still no money. So I posted my story on a couple of facebook blogs. Most of the people were very supportive of me and couldn't believe Helene wouldn't return my money. They were very upset at her business practices, and I was very happy to report back to them that Helene sent me an email on 12/26 letting me know that she would be mailing me a check. I told her that she had until 1/17/14 to get the check to me. I don't want to go public with all of this, but Helene doesn't seem to want to give me my money back, and according to Florida Law; legally, she is supposed to. See section 5 (Above link will take you to site)
 

May 25, 2014 Still no money from Helene. 

 

Pet Law

Pet Law 828.29 Dogs and cats transported or offered for sale; health requirements; consumer guarantee.

(5) If, within 14 days following the sale by a pet dealer of an animal subject to this section, a licensed veterinarian of the consumer's choosing certifies that, at the time of the sale, the animal was unfit for purchase due to illness or disease, the presence of symptoms of a contagious or infectious disease, or the presence of internal or external parasites, excluding fleas and ticks; or if, within 1 year following the sale of an animal subject to this section, a licensed veterinarian of the consumer's choosing certifies such animal to be unfit for purchase due to a congenital or hereditary disorder which adversely affects the health of the animal; or if, within 1 year following the sale of an animal subject to this section, the breed, sex, or health of such animal is found to have been misrepresented to the consumer, the pet dealer shall afford the consumer the right to choose one of the following options:

(a) The right to return the animal and receive a refund of the purchase price, including the sales tax, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary costs directly related to the veterinarian's examination and certification that the dog or cat is unfit for purchase pursuant to this section and directly related to necessary emergency services and treatment undertaken to relieve suffering;

(b) The right to return the animal and receive an exchange dog or cat of the consumer's choice of equivalent value, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary costs directly related to the veterinarian's examination and certification that the dog or cat is unfit for purchase pursuant to this section and directly related to necessary emergency services and treatment undertaken to relieve suffering; or

(c) The right to retain the animal and receive reimbursement for reasonable veterinary costs for necessary services and treatment related to the attempt to cure or curing of the dog or cat.

Reimbursement for veterinary costs may not exceed the purchase price of the animal. The cost of veterinary services is reasonable if comparable to the cost of similar services rendered by other licensed veterinarians in proximity to the treating veterinarian and the services rendered are appropriate for the certification by the veterinarian.

I have also written to the AKC, here is their response:

Hello Cathy and thank you for contacting the AKC. Wow, it appears you really have been going through a lot with this breeder.I will forward this email to the breeder of merit group.For complaints on breeders such as yours, it does have to come in in writing.You will need to write a brief letter to us giving an overview of the situation and copies of any documents (i.e. bill of sale, contracts) you have. Please provide the full names, addresses, and phone numbers of everyone involved, including you. You will need to fax or mail that letter and copies of all related documents to:American Kennel ClubCustomer Registration SupportPO Box 900066Raleigh, NC 27675Fax - 919-816-4250customerregistrationsupport@akc.orgPlease be sure you sign your letter of complaint.TheresaAKC Customer Service Representativehttp://www.akc.org/919-233-9767