LOS ANGELES – People in the market for a recognized dog breed should be careful they don’t get a mutt in purebred clothing.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is warning residents of a Purebred Puppy Scam, wherein victims find themselves spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on supposedly purebred pooches that aren’t what the sellers claim.
Last year, a new state law went into effect requiring pet shops to sell only dogs, cats and rabbits from animal shelters or rescue organizations, making it more difficult for scammers to pull a fast one.
Tips to avoid the Purebred Puppy Scam
- To determine if a dog is a recognized purebred, request the registration documents from a dog registry organization such as the American Kennel Club, Canine Kennel Club or the Continental Kennel Club.
- For a non-recognized breed, such as a designer breed, get a second opinion from an expert.
- Meet the seller and dog in person wherever the animal is being housed and ask for medical records before signing a contract or paying.
Assistant Head Deputy District Attorney Marc Beaart explains how the scam works in the video below:
Scam says
Due diligence…