Thugs Sold Sick Puppies in £100k Lockdown Scam on Gumtree
Three men have been jailed for selling sick puppies during lockdown, exploiting buyers for profit
Stoke-on-Trent, UK, Puppies, Fraud, Parvovirus, Gumtree
Stoke-on-Trent: Three men are facing serious time behind bars for selling sick puppies. They sold these poor pups for thousands, knowing they were unwell. Michael, John, and Tom Stokes were caught after selling dogs with parvovirus, which happens when puppies miss their vaccinations.
They raked in around £100,000 by advertising various breeds on Gumtree. When buyers raised concerns about the puppies’ health, they were often dismissed or even mocked. Many people felt sorry for the puppies and ended up buying them, only to face heartbreak later.
Sadly, some of these puppies died shortly after being sold, leaving buyers with hefty vet bills. The court sentenced Michael to three and a half years, John to three years, and Tom to two and a half years. It’s a tough lesson for them, but they really hurt a lot of people.
The prosecutor explained that the men sold puppies from different addresses in Stoke-on-Trent, using the same ads to lure buyers. They made up excuses when people wanted to see the puppies’ mothers, showing they didn’t care about the animals at all.
Many buyers felt uneasy but couldn’t leave the puppies behind. The Stokes brothers showed no concern for the dogs’ health. If they had just taken the time to get the puppies vaccinated, many could have been saved.
They were all about the money, with payments often made in cash. Buyers forked out between £1,000 and £2,000 for these sick pups, and some weren’t even the breeds they were promised. Police found a stash of cash and fake vaccination cards at their homes.
It’s heartbreaking to think that these puppies were sold in such terrible conditions. The victims were emotionally manipulated, and many ended up losing their new pets to illness. All three men admitted to conspiracy to commit fraud, and the judge made it clear that their actions were serious.
During the hearing, the defense tried to paint a picture of hardship, but the judge wasn’t having it. He banned them from owning dogs for ten years, emphasizing the impact of their actions on the victims. The pandemic saw a surge in pet ownership, but these guys took advantage of that demand in the worst way possible.
It’s a sad reminder that not everyone has good intentions, especially when it comes to something as innocent as a puppy. Let’s hope this serves as a wake-up call for others out there.