Don't be taken in by puppy dog eyes

Kennel Club says one in four dogs bought on social media apps get sick or die

- KAITLIN EASTON

THE public is being urged to look out for callous breeders using cute puppy images to dupe them into buying sickly dogs.

The disturbing influence of social media on puppy buying, and how it is used by farm operators, has been revealed in new research by a leading dog welfare organisation.

The Kennel Club statistics show one in four puppies advertised on social media gets sick or dies before their first birthday.

One in four puppies bought in Scotland is thought to have originated on a puppy farm, with owners missing the signs after being captivated by online pics.

Adelle North, of East Lothian, fell victim to one of the cruel scams when she saw and bought a puppy advertised online.

Mac, a Japanese Spitz, died from parvovirus just days later.

The 42-year-old had spoken to the breeder on the phone before they agreed to meet in Perth, instead of Aberdeen where the puppies were based.

When the female breeder arrived, she said little Mac had been sick on the way down.