House passes lemon law for pets

Hartford — Legislation for a statewide "pet lemon law" passed the House of Representatives Friday night.

Under the bill, a pet shop that sells a dog or cat that becomes ill or dies of an illness that existed at the time of sale must reimburse the consumer up to $500 for veterinarian bills. The same penalty would apply if the animal is diagnosed with a serious congenital defect within six months of sale.

It also requires pet shops to post signs about the lemon law and prohibits businesses from requiring the return of the animal for reimbursement.

State Rep. Diana Urban, D-North Stonington, said the bill aims to protect people from the expenses of caring for a sick pet that was bred in an "animal mill."

The bill passed unanimously and now goes to the Senate.