'DON'T buy or sell dogs over the internet' is the warning from a charity which says financial pressures are leading the web to become awash with sites selling pets.

The Labrador Lifeline Trust has appealed to anyone who needs to give up their dog to only use trusted expert pet organisations.

Animals purchased over the internet can be in poor health, have behavioural problems or even be stolen, it warned.

Charity administrator Anne Carter said: “More and more people seem to turn to the internet to sell their pet, especially with the country's present financial state, they want money for the dog irrespective of what happens to it once it has left them.

“This is also a very good way for puppy dealers to sell their puppies and unwanted brood bitches.

“In other words, this is very big business.”

“We have instances of people coming to us having purchased a dog from one of these sites and then after a couple of days realising why it was sold in the first place and sadly, some of the cases are because of aggression to both humans and other dogs.”

The trust is a member of the Association of Dog and Cat Homes, which, she said, is aware of the websites involved but is powerless to prevent them operating.

Janet Butler, area co-ordinator for the trust, which expanded into Buckinghamshire earlier this year, said: “Owners can’t be sure that the dog will go to a suitable home, and adopters can’t be sure they are getting a dog that is healthy, safe — and not stolen.”

“It’s far better for everyone — and, most of all, for the dog — if people use a specialist breed organisation like ours that checks the dog and new home in detail.”

She reassured dog owners needing to rehome their pet that the trust is sympathetic and ensures all dogs get a loving home.

Experienced foster homes are used if no permanent solution is instantly available and kennels are only used in emergencies, she said.

Ex-Marlow Mayor Margaret Done, of Harwood Road, Marlow used to foster dogs, including Labradors, for the RSPCA's South Bucks branch.

Mrs Done, still a dog owner, agreed it was important specialists are involved to check the new homes and help with any problems the dog may have had.

“People are just buying and selling commodities,” she said.

“How can it be right?

“It's a bit dodgy really, there's so much to think about when getting a dog.”

A number of labradors have been rehomed by the trust since a Bucks Free Press article earlier this year.

For more details on the trust and rehoming click link below.