Ramona, a 26-year-old from Switzerland, thought she had found the perfect dog when she bought a little Staffordshire Bull Terrier for around £380. The sale was arranged through a Facebook page dedicated to the breed.
But when she looked at the veterinary health record for the puppy, named Nayla, the young woman quickly began to have her doubts.
A web of inconsistencies
Looking through the papers provided with the sale, Ramona noticed several glaring issues. Some vaccinations were recorded in the health book as having been given before Nayla's litter had even been born.
Another troubling detail was that on the sales contract, the puppy was described as... a Labrador. Faced with these inconsistencies, the young owner decided to consult a vet. She also reported the situation to the police, fearing she had unwittingly become involved in an animal trafficking scheme.
A happy ending despite the cost
In order to keep her puppy, Ramona had to quarantine her for seven weeks. Blood tests then revealed that Nayla had never actually been vaccinated against rabies, contrary to what her documents stated.
The entire vaccination schedule had to be started from scratch. According to the professionals consulted, this type of fake record book can be used to illegally import puppies into Switzerland before the legal age.
Today, at eight months old, Nayla is doing well and her paperwork is finally in order. But the ordeal came at a cost for her owner. Between the administrative procedures and veterinary care, Ramona estimates she spent just over an extra £510.
The seller, for her part, denies any involvement and claims to be the victim of a smear campaign. However, she reportedly agreed to refund the young woman £85. Despite the stressful experience, Ramona chose to keep Nayla.
