A CLACKS woman who was deceived by an online puppy breeder has called for people to do more research before buying a dog.

The advice follows research by the Kennel Club that shows the amount of people buying dogs online has almost doubled in the last year.

Paulina Majerowska, a student from Clackmannanshire, bought a Chihuahua puppy for £350 after seeing an advert online.

After being dropped off at her house by the seller, the puppy, who the family named Daisy, died five days later.

Paulina said: "When he [the seller] arrived it felt very rushed. He told us the dog had been vaccinated but he'd forgotten the documentation.

"I was told the puppy was 10 weeks old, but she looked quite unwell. We named her Daisy but soon realised things weren't right.

"The emotional turmoil we have been through as a family has been awful.

"My advice would be do your research properly and don't rush into buying a puppy.

"More importantly, walk away if something doesn't feel right."

The Kennel Club's report found 45 per cent of people who bought a puppy in 2019 did so online, up from 25 per cent the previous year.

One in five puppies bought through online advertising websites, where most illegal dealers operate, get sick or die within the first year, and one in four die before their fifth birthday.

The Scottish Government have launched the latest phase of their Buy a Puppy Safely campaign and have identified three Pup Checks to make.

Potential buyers are advised to look for the puppy's mother, look for paperwork such as vaccination and microchipping certificates and walk away if something doesn't seem right.

Mairi Gougeon, minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, said: "Puppy farms breed misery, and that misery is being fuelled by the huge demand for puppies and facilitated through online adverts and sellers.

"If something doesn't feel right, walk away and report your concerns to the Scottish SPCA."

Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn added: "The puppy trade in Scotland is a multi-million pound industry and many of these dogs are bred on large scale puppy farms with little to no regard for their welfare.

"Many have serious health issues because of how they are bred and the conditions they are kept in. The worst cases can result in immediate, or prolonged, death.

"The messaging is simple, if you don't see mum or any paperwork then you need to walk away as these are signs that a puppy has come from an illegal puppy farm."