A warning has been issued after thousands of Scottish dog owners bought their pups virtually through “click and collect” online sellers during lockdown.
The Kennel Club claims the rise in ordering a new pet online and having it delivered straight to the door is helping rogue breeders hide the horrific conditions some dogs are kept in.
Club chief executive Mark Beazley said: “If a breeder is offering to deliver the pup to your house or asking to take money before you’ve even seen the pup, alarm bells should be ringing.
"Scammers, rogue breeders and cruel puppy traders can, and will, cash in on this dangerous virtual puppy buying world, with devastating consequences for dogs.”
A survey of more than 4000 Scots by the Kennel Club for its #BePuppywise campaign found 43 per cent who bought a puppy during Covid had it delivered without visiting it first.
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