TOKYO — In September 2021, a 47-year-old man on a casual visit to a pet store in the Japanese capital found himself captivated by one little toy poodle puppy. But this moment of tender connection would lead not just to a lasting canine-human bond, but to unexpected pain and conflict.
The man had four dogs at his childhood home, and longed for another ever since moving out and joining the workforce. After four visits to the pet shop, he paid 630,000 yen (about $4,200) for the 4-month-old toy poodle, and named the new member of the family Kuri.
It was only about a month after bringing Kuri home that the bad news began. The man took the puppy to get a vaccine shot, and the veterinarian told him, “Your dog may have trouble walking in the future.”
Two months later, the veterinarian's prediction began coming true. Kuri's energetic scamps around the house started to be broken by frequent stumbles. After visits to several veterinary clinics, the dog was diagnosed with dislocated kneecaps, a condition called simply “patella” after the scientific name for the bone. It is most common in small dogs such as toy poodles, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, and the veterinarian said that in Kuri's case it appeared to be congenital.
However, the prepurchase examination papers provided by the pet store had given Kuri's knee joints a clean bill of health.
Kuri underwent major surgery combining three procedures, including shaving of the femur bone, at a total cost of around 450,000 yen (nearly $3,000). However, the vet estimated that Kuri would need three to four more operations during their lifetime, with treatment costs rising to more than 2 million yen (some $13,300) before Kuri was cured.
In February 2022, the man called the pet store to consult about Kuri's medical costs. A store representative replied, “We can't pay for the treatment, but we can replace the pet.” This was in accordance with the terms of the sales contract.
This failed to impress the man. “Kuri is family,” he said. “They say ‘replace' so easily, but what do they think of animals?” The discussion went on and on. The pet store offered to refund 65,000 yen (approx. $430) that was included in the purchase price as a kind of warranty. The unconvinced man filed a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court in November 2022, seeking 2.78 million yen (about $18,400) in damages from the pet store's management company. The case is still pending.
Many pet retailers have introduced exchange policies, where customers can trade in their new cat or dog if it turns out to have a congenital disease. A major pet sales company representative explained, “It's our position that the customer has consented to purchase a dog or cat, as this is clearly specified in the contract.” However, Kuri's owner argues that the trade-in system only harms the buyer's interests.
The man's lawyer told the Mainichi Shimbun, “This is unlike covering car repair costs, because pets are living creatures. Trading a pet in for a new one is an exchange of a life for a life. Japanese law, which treats dogs and cats as objects, is out of step with modern times.”
Kuri has recovered well, but recently had some discomfort in their left leg. The man said, “Dogs' and cats' lives are treated like things. That's what the pet sales business is built on, and I was able to meet Kuri as a buyer. That said, I don't think the current law and system are right. I want to fight my court case to the end.”
Meanwhile, the pet store operator stated in a written response to the Mainichi, “Through multifaceted measures including with breeding facilities, animal management, medical care, genetic testing for disease and support for nonprofits, we are developing a social infrastructure for pets.” On the treatment of traded-in dogs and cats, they replied, “We look for new owners who understand the situation.”
(Japanese original by Hiroya Miyagi, Digital News Group)
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The original Japanese article was written based on information received via “Tsunagaru Mainichi Shimbun,” a submission form for journalism on demand. If there are any subjects you'd like us to cover, please contact us via: https://mainichi.jp/tsunagaru/
