How Much is That Puppy in the "Virtual" Window?
The internet has become a very popular way of purchasing a puppy. Many websites can be a quick and easy way to research potential breeders, but before you fall in love with that puppy you found online, you should check out the Help Me Howard report.
Last November, Elizabeth Zaccone was looking for a purebred Pomeranian puppy. She came across a website called Pup Paws, where she was introduced to a breeder named Diana Currie.
Because the puppy was located in Missouri, Diana told Elizabeth she had to wire her $550 for the puppy and an additional $250, to cover the shipping costs to New Jersey.
Arrangements were made for Elizabeth to pick up the puppy at Newark Airport. However, when Elizabeth opened the crate, she noticed that the puppy looked different from the picture she saw online. But that was the least of her problems. Turns out, the puppy's paperwork and shot records were not sent, and the puppy fell ill later that night.
Within 30 hours, the puppy's health quickly started deteriorating. Elizabeth tried to contact Diana about the missing paperwork. Diana said she mailed it, but Elizabeth never received it. The puppy was getting sicker and Elizabeth made a second trip to the vet. Unfortunately, by then, it was too late.
The puppy died in her arms on the way to the animal hospital. The veterinarian confirmed that the puppy had the Parvo Virus and issued her a certificate of unfitness.
Elizabeth called Diana and told her that the puppy had died. According to Elizabeth, Diana never admitted that she sold the puppy sick, however, she did reimburse Elizabeth the cost of the dog as well as the veterinarian bills that she incurred.
We spoke with Diana Currie, who maintains that the puppy was healthy when it left Missouri. She says that the airline would not have shipped the puppy if it didn't have a clean bill of health.
In the meantime, before you purchase a puppy online, there are many things to consider. Lisa Peterson, director of communications for the American Kennel Club gives some tips to protect yourself. Take a listen.
For more information you can got to the American Kennel Club's website.
It's also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Make sure you search the state where the puppy is coming from.
Comments: 7
I am Elizabeth Zaccone's sister and i just want everyone to know that this woman Diana Currie is a liar. Even though she said the airport would not have shipped the dog if it was sick that is untrue. They would have had no way of knowing it had the parvo virus. Maximus definitely had parvo before he was sent to us because he showed signs almost immediately and the veteranarian confirmed that there is a 2 week incubation period before the dog will start showing signs of illness. Luckily we talked to the woman who runs the transportation of dogs at american airlines in the newark aiport, and she said she will not be accepting anymore puppies from Diana. Please, everyone consider what happened to us before you buy an animal from this woman!
Hey howard, you r so cool, you have the right job,helping people with their problems. The onyl problem i have with you is the more you help people the more it seems that a great guy like you, is not appreciated enough. !!!!!!
Hello. I too received a sick pup from Dianna Currie (aka puppaws.com) . This woman is running a puppy mill & she must be stopped. Our little pomeranian survived, but only after costly medical bills & alot of work. I love her to death & remembering how she looked upon arrival just turns my stomach. Please have this puppy mill put down!! I can only imaging how her breeding pups are treated. She advertises on her site that her pups are family raised, but our pom had never had prior human contact. Please stop this puppy mill.
We just bought a dog from this lady for our young daughter for christmas. The first problem was that we did not receive the dog that we purchased based on the pictures she provided. Once we did get the last dog available we noticed a rash all over the dogs body. She claimed it was a reaction to the shampoo she used. We did not receive any shot records or any other information ect. We took the dog to the vet and it was the mange. Now our child and other dogs have been exposed to this and will also need medical attention! The lady does not respond or answer our phone calls. We are filing legal action against her!
If you have posted on this site or have had a issue with this women or a dog you received from her please call the number listed below and they will direct you to the correct Missouri agency to report the problems and stop this women from scamming people and tormenting these poor animals!
573-751-3076
573-522-0000
This women Dianna Curie is fake.She is a freud.I found her on a site called Nextdaypets.I had e-mailed her and talked with her on the phone.Isent her a payment of $750.00 dollars for a puppy named (Halfpint.)She said she took the puppy to the vet and asked if I would call her.So I did and then she says it had a heart problem.She said she would give us a different puppy and this on free.I told her I was not interested in two puppies and I would have to talk this matter over w/my other half and call her back.I called her the next day and told her we where not interested in another puppy.I told her that I was afraid that if it came from the same litter that there might be problems down the road and I was not interested it that.I asked for my money back.She said she would return my money,but I have never seen a dime.It had said on her site that she would return any payment if for any reason there was a health problem w/the pet.I had not even got this puppy to my house.This puppy was a present for my little girl.Something needs to be done about this women so she will stop doing this to people.
I purchased a 7 month old dog from Diana Currie. I talked to her on the phone several times and she seemed legit. I went to pick her up 5 hours away. When I arrived to Ava, MO she told me that I would not make it up her driveway so she would just meet me at the end. The dog she handed over was extremely skinny and looked and smelled horrible. That night I immediately took her to the vet and she was only 3 1/2 lbs. when she should be at least 5 or 6 lbs. She was extremely malnourished. Luckily she did not have parvo or worms like I would have expected. She is very aggresive with other dogs too, but obviously that is not the dogs fault! I've contacted several places about her, and im praying that someone can help the rest of the dogs she has. She deserves to be thrown in jail. Also, she told me that she would mail the papers. She emailed me what looks to be fake shot records as well. I'm sure that these dogs have never even seen a vet when I asked her the vets name she said that she would email me that but never did! would like to see my money back, but I'm not even worried about it as long as this dog is away from her that's all that matters now!