A charity investigating several cases of puppy sales has issued a warning that many are being sold in an unhealthy condition.
The Scottish SPCA is urging people in Tayside and Aberdeenshire to be cautious when buying a puppy, saying some are being sold ill after being bred in poor surroundings.
The animal welfare charity revealed it is currently probing cases of puppy sales in these areas and is concerned "unscrupulous breeders" will target buyers ahead of Christmas.
Officers are advising people to always go to the breeder's home and insist on seeing the dog's mother.
An undercover officer said: "Many pups, particularly those classed as toy breeds, are carrying diseases when they are sold due to being bred and kept in poor conditions.
"Those involved in the illegal trade of dogs have no concern for the welfare of the animals and are only interested in making a profit.
"Many puppies will start to show signs of being ill soon after being bought and in the worst-case scenarios will sadly die, which results in a great deal of heartbreak for the new owners as well as potentially large vet bills.
"Our advice to anyone considering buying a puppy is to always go to the breeder or seller's home or kennels and insist on seeing the dog's mother.
"People should never buy any animal in a public place no matter what excuse the breeder provides or allow the dog to be delivered to their home."
The charity said potential buyers should ask if the puppies have been checked by a vet and ask to see a dog breeding licence.
The officer added: "No-one should ever feel pressured into buying a pup and if someone is offered a dog at a discounted price which sounds too good to be true, it is generally that price for a reason.
"Unbeknown to the buyer, they may be supporting the puppy farming industry, which is something we are sure all animal lovers would be horrified by."
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