A word of caution if you're thinking of buying a pet online. A family from Brittany, France, has shared their story with the French news site 20 Minutes, detailing the heartbreaking scam they fell victim to.
The family explained how they fell in love with a three-month-old Chihuahua they found on Le Bon Coin, a popular French classifieds website. They found their perfect puppy with a breeder in the Ille-et-Vilaine region.
A sudden decline
Although the mother had some reservations about the cleanliness of the breeder's premises, she was convinced the puppies were well cared for. She returned a second time with her husband and was completely charmed by their future puppy.
“Everything seemed to be in order as he had an identification card, a veterinary certificate from the day before, and he was microchipped,” the family recalled.
The first day went very well. The lively little pup quickly settled into his new family. Sadly, the happy atmosphere changed completely when the tiny dog could no longer stand on his paws and stopped eating.
The mother rushed him to an emergency vet. They found fleas but reassured the owner, explaining that it could simply be stress-related.
A tragic outcome and a stark warning
Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated rapidly. The vet delivered the devastating news: the puppy had meningitis, and his life was in danger. He also had a dislocated jaw.
Placed in an induced coma, the little Chihuahua sadly did not survive. Following this tragedy, the mother contacted the breeder again. The breeder expressed her sorrow and offered another puppy from the same litter. When the family refused, the breeder promised to refund part of the veterinary fees.
If you are planning to welcome a pet into your home, it is strongly advised not to use classified ads. Instead, visit a reputable breeder, do your research, or better yet, adopt from a rescue centre like the RSPCA.
