My husband purchased English Mastiff puppy from Merryfield Kennels as a birthday gift for me in Sept. Before my hubby got me the puppy he told me he was ordering it we did a lot of research into the breed, such as don't feed puppy food because it has too much protein for a large breed dog. That it is advised to give a good quality adult food so that the legs don't over grow. I did everything that the books and the breeders on the internet suggested. I wanted everything to be perfect for my baby.
Within 3 weeks Gunner (thats his name) was having trouble rising from a sitting or sleeping position. He pulled himself up like an elderly person with a walker might.
I took Gunner to the Vet they did a lot of x-rays this was October/ November. Vet said that he had what would develop into hip problems, she said that his hips were to close together. Within 2 weeks Gunner's back leg started to bow and he was limping. We went back to the Vet and saw the Vet that specializes in large breed dogs. More x-rays and a consultation with an Orthopedic Specialist. Gunner's back leg was horribly bowed and it wasn't from his food (remember the protein issue and over growth). Both the Vet and Specialist said that this was a congential defect and was not the exception but the rule. That we should bring him back for more x-rays at a year and possible surgery.
Gunner started having trouble with all 4 legs before his yearly return to the specialist. We took him to the vet more x-rays of all 4 legs and hips. Ortho called in. She is a highly regarded specialist in the field of Orthopedics in the South Florida area.
She came into the room and hugged me. She said it was bad, very bad, that both of Gunner's rear legs had now developed the bowing effect and surgery to repair would be almost impossible. He would have to have each leg broken at seperate times and bone removed and that placed in a motorcyclists cast with pins and wires to hold his leg while healing. She also went on to say that the front legs suffered from congential deformities also. That Gunner's wrists and elbows are also affected. Her best advice was to give high doses of Glucosimine and antienflammatories, (which could ruin his liver), and to give him extra doses of love, and that we may have to euthanize him within the year. I love this dog so much, he is every thing to me, Gunner sleeps with me, sits on the couch and lays his head in my lap, he is everywhere that I am.
It breaks my heart that Merryfield cares so little about the animals that they buy from puppy mills with substandard breeding. We have been to 4 vets and 1 specialist, and all have said Gunner is not the exception but the rule, and that the defects come from overbreeding and inbreeding i.E. Mom and son, dad and daughter, etc.
My husband called Greg Docktor owner of Merryfield Kennels the day I got the news from the specialist, as you can imagin I was hysterical at the thought of putting this wonderful, loving, companion to sleep, Greg said to fax all of the vets reports, which I did, than he said bring him the xrays the next day, which I did, than he said make a video of Gunner and bring it and Gunner to Merryfield Kennels, which I did, this all took place in July.
Mr. Docktor at this last vist he wanted to destroy my dog while I stood there, he was going to have his vet do it, and his remedy to this very difficult situation was to offer me a new puppy, not a English Mastiff per Mr. Docktor because they were coming with too many health problems per him, but something small maybe a poodle or a pomeranian. I told him no that I did not want to replace Gunner that I loved this dog and would make him as comfortable as possible until it was time.
2 Weeks after this Mr. Docktor called my husband and said he would replace Gunner and that I had to give him his AKC registration, which would mean he could have my dog. My husband said no way, that he wanted what the lemon law required which is 1 of 3 things, we wanted Gunners medical bills taken care of.
Mr. Docktor said he would get back to us. He did not get back to us. Per the law and an attorney I was told to send certified mail to Merryfield and Mr. Docktor which I did in September, he called 3 weeks after receiving the letter screaming at me asking what did I want from him. I told him that I wanted what was right and listed in the pet lemon law. I wanted Gunners bill reimbursed.
He said that my husband had agreed to a new puppy and I know thats a lie my husband cares as much for this dog as I do. We have no children and this dog is our furry kid. Mr. Docktor stated he would call me back since the medical bills totalled 1100.00 and the cost of a new puppy is 2300. If you believe what they charge as correct. I am still waiting for Mr. Docktor to do whats right.
I received a copy of the pet lemon law from the vets, they sum up 4 pages into 1 which talks about returning the pet, keeping the pet and being reimbursed etc.
However Mr. Docktor added a clause to his waiver that he will replace the puppy in 1 year if congenital defects are found. This is a way out for him, the State of Florida has a 4 page lemon law listing allowing for this to take place. If you read the law it gives a loop hole to unscrupulous kennels such as Merryfields. I have registered a complaint against Merryfeild with the State Department of Agriculture and Services.
I have also started the process of having a class action lawsuit brought against Merryfield Kennels. I am not the only one, there are many pet owners just like myself who love there dogs dearly and have been subjected to this heartbreak by Merryfield Kennels. This would not happen if Merryfield purchased there puppies from upstanding breeders, breeders that don't imbreed, that don't over breed. I have seen the public court records on Merryfield, and its not pretty. This man makes money by selling misery. The puppies are cute and seem healthy at purchase and shortly after become sick/and or lame. Merryfield must be stopped.
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