Breeders Beware!!!
 

I have a puppy for sale right now and I got a VERY strange call last night. I’m in TX and the lady called me from a KS phone number. I have the price listed in the ad, so when she asked me to tell her a little bit about the puppy I thought she meant coloring, attitude, ear sets and such. After I told her all of that she said “I mean how much are you asking?” I told her I have her listed for $2,500.00 and she asked if I would take less because she just had hers stolen out of her yard and her kids are crying. At this point I knew I would not sell to her because the puppy is tiny and I don’t want her with small children, so I told her no thinking that would be the end of it. She continued to try to work something out with me telling me she just needed the puppy because hers was stolen AND she kept trying to find out where I live. I told her that is why all of my dogs are chipped. This is when I got suspicious because now she wants papers. This is what she proposed: She wanted to pay me some now, pay me off next week, but she would get the dog and the papers now. I told her that she could make a deposit and pay her off next week, but the puppy doesn’t leave my house until paid for and that I don’t provide papers to anyone until I have proof of spay. This finally ended the call. I believe with all my heart that it was her intent to steal the puppy until she found out that she was chipped and at that point she wanted to rip me off on the price and prove ownership w/ the papers.

It is a crazy world out there now ladies and it is not safe to meet potential owners in your home alone or anywhere else. I’m not meeting them at my home anymore at all because I don’t want anyone knowing where my dogs are while I’m at work. I meet them at my mothers. My friend had her dog stolen with her standing right there so remember to stay safe and keep your eyes open!

I forgot to ad that even tho the number was in KS, she was in TX, more specifically in my town when she made the call...

I don't blame you one bit. When I do breed my babies, there will be no one who has the knowledge of my address and no one who comes to my home to see my pups. And I honestly hate that b/c I hate people thinking that I have something to hide b/c I won't allow them in my home. As far as I'm concerned though, better safe than sorry for both the babies and ourselves!

Scammers...they come in every form! :mad:

I'm really glad you posted this...there are stories about these people coming to breeders homes and then later breaking in to steal their dogs.....That sad part is it's the high prices they are commanding now and people will do ANYTHING these days to rip someone off....You're very right to be extra careful....It's just sick that we have to live in fear of every little thing but it's way better to be safe than sorry.....

and to all the breeders reading this - BE CAREFUL

Wow that is scary.....You never know anymore what kind of people are coming to your home to check you out also. Then they can watch you and when you leave they can take what they want.
Good idea about meeting elsewhere.

Geez! How pathetic...People will stoop so low just to get what they want, even if it means Stealing! :(

People never cease to amaze me.. daily! :rolleyes:

Its been my policy never to give my address out from a phone call unless I can personally call them back for one and another if I have spoken to them more than once on the phone about possible adoption.

Glad you were wise and everyone is safe.

Remember the story about the lady who posed as a puppy buyer and went to that ladies home that raised rat terriers, then kidnapped her (she was pregnant) and killed her and took her baby?(from her body) Now THAT made me worry. She had mentioned on the phone or something to this person that she was expecting a child and the person who killed her went to her home pretending to want a puppy. The story was all over the news for weeks. I think it happened last year?

Anyway, its really tough being a breeder. We have to use our own judgements and go on our gut feelings. Thats why I said in a post a long while back that I do not respond to every Tom, Dick and Harry who contacts me. I try to go on my gut feelings. Still, even that isn't fool proof.

Thieves come in all shapes and sizes these days........

Don't forget that someone that knows how to use the internet can go to 'Google" and find out where you live very easily!

You need to protect yourself in as many ways as you can, you never know who will rip you off!!!

I don't blame you for being suspecious.. but FYI people call with different area code number. My bf has Massachusetts area code all the time but has moved to NJ, IN, CA... so it is not unusual. But other parts is kinda.. fishy!!