|
Serving Princeton, Rosewood, Brogden, E. Johnston Co., W. Wayne Co., North Carolina |
|||||
HeadlinesA record of love, inspiration, and perseverance Princeton downtown in for some changes Princeton's Langdon heads to NCSU Fish introduction often backfires Wayne's 2007-08 Teachers of the Year College made a little more affordable Photos Obituaries Movies Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Local Showtimes
|
 |
The cutest (puppy) scam everBy Attorney General Roy Cooper 18 July 2007 — It’s hard to resist the cute face, wet nose and wagging tail of a new puppy. In the days before the Internet, you probably browsed the classifieds of your local paper or headed to the local animal shelter or pet shop to find your new companion. Now, with the click of a mouse you can pick out a pup and have it delivered right to your doorstep. But there can be serious pitfalls to avoid when purchasing a pet online. Unlike clothes or electronics, when you buy a dog over the Internet you can’t just ship it back if it isn’t what you expected. There are horror stories of puppies arriving sick and malnourished, and dying within hours of being delivered. Although many websites offer a money-back health guarantee, it often can be difficult to get back in touch with the seller once the puppy has been delivered. In most cases, there isn’t an easy way to get a refund, so many people wind up broken-hearted and out hundreds or even thousands of dollars. While there are legitimate breeders who sell puppies, cats, and other pets online, there are also scammers who are out to rip you off. Recently, emails and classified ads have appeared in North Carolina and across the country offering expensive pure-bred puppies for free or at unbelievable prices. The alleged breeder often claims to be relocating to Africa for a religious mission and needs to find a good home for the puppies. Once you respond, the breeder asks you to wire shipping and handling costs, usually $200, to Africa, and promises that the puppy will arrive in a couple of weeks. Needless to say, even after you wire the money, you never get your puppy. Consider these tips: • Make sure you’re ready for a new pet. Pets can be a wonderful addition to your home, but they are also a big responsibility. • Consider adoption. Thousands of dogs and cats are waiting at local animal shelters for a good home, who have been screened for good health and behavior. • Do your homework. If you’re looking for a particular breed of dog, contact your local kennel club for a list of reputable breeders. Visit the site to see the puppy and the conditions under which it’s been raised. Avoid puppy mills. • Check out the breeder. You can call your local Better Business Bureau, American Kennel Club chapter, or my office to see if there are any complaints against the breeder. • Get it in writing. • Beware of scams.
Back to this week's News Leader
|
|
Wayne Wilson News Leader
|
||
|
||||||
|
|
|||||
