DOGLOVERS on the lookout for new pets have been warned to be vigilant after a puppy died three days after being bought.
The seller, a woman living in Barnsley, allegedly told the the buyer, a man from Nottingham, she fostered dogs on behalf of Willow Dog Rescue.
But founder Julie Drabble said the woman was in no way affiliated with the rescue charity.
Julie said she had been contacted by a man who paid £400 for a cross-breed puppy which died of canine parvovirus three days later.
Julie, 45, said: "When the man tried to contact the woman who sold the dog to him, the number was discontinued and he couldn't get through. But he remembered that she said she worked for us.
"We knew nothing about it. All our dogs come from the pound, we don't take in dogs from people's homes or breeders and we're upset that someone is using our good name.
"People might think we're getting rid of sick dogs, but our dogs are vet-checked and in full health."
Later on the same evening, the charity received a phone call from a woman whose puppy had died from the same virus after five days.
Julie added: "We are a small rescue charity but we work very hard. We don't get any funding and I don't want people thinking we're offloading sick and unhealthy dogs."
