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Sept 2020

Last Updated: 28/09/2020

Puppy scammers target Harrogate mum and disabled daughter

by Ami Miller Lifestyle Reporter

| 29 Sept, 2020

A Harrogate mum bought a labrador puppy for her 7-year-old daughter, who has spina bifida, to later find out it didn't actually exist.

A Harrogate mum lost £100 on a deposit for a Labrador puppy that she later discovered didn't actually exist.

Jade Lockyer initially wanted a mobility support dog for her daughter Lacey, seven, who has spina bifida.

However, after struggling to find one she decided to get her daughter a puppy that could then be trained.

Ms Lockyer found an advert on the website Pets4Homes for puppies for £1,000, which she thought was a good price.

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The seller said she was in Wakefield and when Ms Lockyer inquired she was told there was only one puppy left - a golden female. She agreed to buy it, subject to viewing. She added:

"She said that I had to pay a deposit otherwise the puppy would go, as they are in such high demand at the moment.

"I didn't feel too happy about this but my daughter had fallen in love with the photos and the woman really reassured me on the phone. She wanted £250 but we agreed on £100. I paid it and then asked for some more videos as we were so excited. She went very quiet on me and then when she did send a video, I just sensed something fishy.

"My daughter looked on YouTube and the same video was on there from 13 years ago. As soon as I asked her about it she blocked me."

Lacey was "devastated" when she was given the news, said Ms Lockyer:

"She had named her and everything. Thinking back I actually think the scammer played up to the fact that my daughter was disabled, as I had told her all about what we wanted the puppy for and she knew how badly we wanted one."

Jeanne Thompson owner of the Harrogate dog rescue charity Miss Mollies Rescue, said covid had caused an increase in puppy scams. She added:

"It has risen because people are at home with more time on their hands, decide to get a puppy and there are not enough puppies to match the demand, so scammers are trying to profit on this."

Ms Thompson advised potential owners:

Don't part with any money until you take the puppy home.

Make sure the puppy is with its mother when you view.

Remember that anyone who asks for a deposit upfront is probably a scammer

She added:

"Most of the puppy scammers don't actually have the puppies but the ones that do actually exist are being brought over from Ireland and abroad, so make sure the mother is there."

With coronavirus cases set to rise this winter, the charity is urging puppy buyers to be vigilant.

A Pets4Homes spokesperson said more than seven million users looked for a pet on its website each month and it had the most rigorous systems in place of any comparable marketplace in the UK.

The spokesperson added:

"Pets4Homes has a zero tolerance approach to the unethical sale of animals and to any individuals behaving inappropriately.

"More than 225,000 animals were rehomed through Pets4Homes between June and August, and of the 0.1% of issues (concerning various matters) that were raised with its trust and safety team during this time, following investigation, there has not been a single confirmed report of puppy farming."

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Puppy scammers target Harrogate mum and disabled daughter

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