Pet owners are being warned of a dog scam which has seen an unsuspecting couple part with hundreds of pounds.

Pet owners are being warned of a dog scam which has seen an unsuspecting couple part with hundreds of pounds.

Karen and John McGuiness were keen to own a puppy and found what they thought was their perfect pet in an advert on a website.

The bulldog puppy, named Holly, was priced at £200 and said to be in need of a good home.

The couple paid the money which covered the cost for the puppy to be shipped to their home in Edinburgh.

A specialist pet courier company was supposed to be responsible for the delivery, but their pet never arrived.

The couple were then asked for a further £150 by the company so the dog could stay in a hotel room on its way up to Scotland.

Sadly for the McGuiness's there was no dog and they were simply being used for their money.

Pet owners are being encouraged to only buy from reputable dog breeders.

A police spokesperson added: "These scams can involve pets to tug at the heart strings."

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