The Watertown Police Department received some information from the Watertown Regional Airport and we would like to inform the community about a scam that has been occurring not only in our area but all over the United States.

Internet scammers are now using online pet sales to steal money from unsuspecting people who think their new pet is on the way by airplane to the local airport, when in fact there was never really an animal at all.  The scammers deceive would-be buyers by using readily available online photos or by using stolen photos of other people's pets to represent the non-existent animal.  The scammers will continue to try and get more money by telling you that they had to take your pet to the vet so you owe them more money to cover the expenses before they can send the pet.

Please be cautious and use common sense if you plan on buying a pet online.  Even if you get the pet you ordered, you don’t know what kind of living conditions the pet is coming from. If you are buying a pet from a breeder, make sure you meet the breeder, meet the mother and see where she lives.  Many people who have purchased pets online find that their new pets are sick and often die from their health problems.