How Can I Report a Dog Breeder for Forging Vet Records in New York?
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Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed January 1, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
I purchased a dog from a breeder. The breeder lied about the breed of the dog and also forged vet records. I am in the process of going to small claims court, but I want to know how to ensure they face consequences for forging the documents and whether there are any legal repercussions for forgery.
Yes I have a screenshot of the breeder sending me the records as well as the records themselves. I also had confirmation from the vet that they allegedly went to and they said these records are forged. I have lots of texts between myself and the breeder including them denying forgery after it was confirmed.
Attorney Answer
You can pursue your small claims case for the money you lost and separately report the breeder's forged veterinary records to the police, since forgery is a crime in New York independent of your civil case.
In New York, creating or altering a document like a veterinary record can be charged as forgery under Penal Law Article 170. Depending on the type of document and the circumstances, this can range from a misdemeanor to a felony. Knowingly presenting a forged document to someone in order to induce a sale can also be charged separately as criminal possession of a forged instrument. These are criminal charges that only a police department or district attorney's office can pursue. You cannot personally file criminal charges against the breeder, but you can report what happened and provide your evidence.
To report the forgery:
1. File a police report with the police department covering the area where the breeder operates. Bring your screenshots, the forged records, and the vet's confirmation that the records were fake. 2. Ask for a case or complaint number so you can follow up, and ask whether the matter will be referred to the district attorney's office. 3. Consider also filing a complaint with the New York Attorney General's office. Misrepresenting a dog's breed and health history to induce a sale may also violate General Business Law § 349, New York's general law against deceptive business practices.
For your small claims case, your evidence, the screenshots, the forged records themselves, and the vet's confirmation, is exactly the kind of documentation that supports both a breach of contract and a misrepresentation claim. Organize it clearly by date so the judge can follow the sequence: what was promised, what was delivered, and when the forgery was discovered.
Keep in mind that any criminal case is separate from your small claims case and moves on its own timeline through the police and district attorney, not through you directly. Your small claims outcome does not depend on a criminal case moving forward.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. A local New York consumer protection or civil litigation attorney can review your specific documents and advise you on the strongest way to present your case.
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- File or look up a case through the New York State Unified Court System, which serves the state.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file criminal charges against the breeder myself?
No. Only the police and a district attorney's office can bring criminal forgery charges. You can report what happened and provide your evidence, and they decide whether to pursue it.
Will a criminal investigation affect my small claims case?
No, the two are separate. Your small claims case can move forward on its own timeline regardless of whether a criminal case is opened.
What kind of compensation can I seek in small claims court?
You can generally seek money damages for your documented financial loss, such as the cost of the dog and related vet bills tied to the breeder's misrepresentation, up to New York's small claims dollar limit.
