Latest news with #breeder
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
‘I paid £500 after finding my dream dog for sale online. There was one problem – it didn't exist'
When Kate Margolis found her dream dog online, she didn't think for a second she could be falling for a scam. A web designer herself, she said she was 'blown away' by the breeder's website and got in touch with him to find out more. He later called her and quizzed her on her home, lifestyle, and plans for the dog. He told her in order to secure a puppy, she'd need to send a deposit of £500. Then, in three months, she would be able to come and choose her new pet. But just days before she was due to collect the dog, the man contacted her and said her puppy had eaten plastic and died. Then, when she tried to find out more, he took down his website, blocked her on everything, and disappeared. 'At first I thought that's really strange,' she said. 'A reputable breeder has allowed a puppy to find some plastic and chew it and die – something doesn't add up here. 'I replied to him and asked for my money back. That's when he disappeared – his website came down, his phone stopped ringing, and my £500 vanished into thin air.' Data from Action Fraud shows Brits have lost £7.2m to pet scams since 2019, with 14,300 reports in that time. Speaking to The Independent, fraud bosses warned criminals are using social media to 'prey' on people looking to buy their next pet online. Kate said she was devastated by the loss of the dog she had imagined becoming part of her life, she never even stopped to think she may have been scammed. 'At the time I thought he had probably just been oversubscribed,' she said. 'I was so consumed with finding a puppy to take home that I was like I'll deal with this later. 'I called in sick to work and spent the whole day trying to find another breeder. I thought, right now, I just need to find a breeder that's got a golden retriever.' It was only when she started working in the pet industry that she realised she had been fooled by a scam artist hiding behind an impressive website and convincing phone call – and that she wasn't the only one. 'Asking for deposits and disappearing is a really common theme,' she said. 'It's a fake name and a fake account, there's nothing to trace you.' But she warned scammers will use different techniques, including giving buyers a dog – but not the one they asked for. 'I've heard of people who have asked for a golden doodle and received an Irish wolfhound,' she added. Realising there was no easy way for prospective pet owners to verify breeders, she decided to matters into her own hands and founded Petproov, a UK-based pet tech startup where people can undertake a risk verification process using government grade ID checks. She said that since starting the platform, she has seen scammers use sophisticated and elaborate techniques including AI photos and videos of dogs and hiring out rental properties to deceive families into trusting them. 'AI has allowed scammers to be so much cleaner,' Kate said. 'It's a seamless operation. We see so many people who can't tell what's real and what's fake.' She added buyers should 'trust their gut' and if a breeder isn't willing to verify, walk away – no matter how difficult. Action Fraud bosses have warned prospective pet buyers not to pay deposits or holding fees without checking the animal is genuine first. Chief Superintendent Amanda Wolf, Head of Action Fraud and National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), said: 'Criminals prey on prospective pet owners looking to buy their next animal online. If someone on social media, or an online marketplace, has put an advert online, ask to view the animal in person or via a video call before paying any money. 'Do not pay a deposit or a holding fee without seeing if the animal is genuine first and avoid paying by bank transfer. Fraudsters could use fake accounts to put up fake adverts with pictures of animals that do not exist. 'Remember to Stop! Think Fraud and stay safe when purchasing online, ensure you protect your passwords by creating strong and memorable passwords for each of your online accounts. Always enable multi-factor authentication if you can. 'If you've been a victim of fraud, report to your bank immediately and report to Action Fraud online at or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.'
Globe and Mail
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
In Senegal, the world's most expensive sheep face off in a beauty contest
The regal creatures are led into the open arena, stamping their groomed hooves as if to acknowledge the cheers, music and fireworks from the crowd of spectators. Their majestic figures embody pride and status, their towering size, prominent muzzle, curved horns and polished skin on full display as night falls. Welcome to one of Senegal's most anticipated beauty pageants – not for humans but for the locally bred Ladoum, the equivalent of a Ferrari among the woolly creatures. The annual contest featured more than a dozen Ladoum, competing in three different categories as adult male, adult female and young/promising. As each sheep is led into the open arena, a panel of judges note down their points based on distinct features such as beauty, size, height, horns and body texture for each round. Winners, announced at the end, are rewarded with food and cash prizes. This year's Best Male Adult sheep is Prive, one year and seven months old, whose breeder estimated him to be worth more than US$100,000 in the market. 'It feels good to be here, I cherish him so much,' Isaiah Cisse, Prive's breeder, said with a wide grin as he massaged the sheep for a successful outing. Unlike the more common sheep eaten and used as sacrifices during Muslim celebrations, the crossbreed Ladoum are mainly seen as a living, breathing symbol of social prestige and luxury bred for years before they are sold. Widely known as one of the world's most expensive sheep, the older ones usually fetch a price of US$70,000, compared with US$250 for a regular sheep, and attract buyers from around the world to this West African nation of 18 million people, where livestock is a key source of livelihood. Mostly weighing up to 181 kilograms and up to 1.21 metres in height, the Ladoum are known for their physical grandeur with curling and symmetrical horns and lustrous sheen. As the contest unfolded in Senegal's capital, Dakar, each sheep is announced before it is led by the breeder onto an elevated stage where it is inspected by the judges, to the elation of the crowd. How do you wrangle wild sheep off a Nova Scotia island? With strategy, strength and a bit of sneakiness Each receives joyful chants from a band troupe, featuring the local Senegalese instrumental Assiko music with the sheep's praise names ringing out aloud. 'You can't see a sheep like this in Africa or even in the world,' said Elhadji Ndiaye, a member of the judging panel. 'Ladoum is special.' Many agree with him. Musa Faye, a 22-year-old breeder, said his 18-month-old sheep was named Diomaye, after Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to show the sheep's significance for him and his family. 'I spend a lot of time with him and play with him,' Mr. Faye said of his sheep. 'I am preparing him for the next competition because I know he will win [the trophy],' he added. The contest, which has been running for some years, took place alongside an exhibition that featured even young breeders like Ibrahim Diagne. At 12, he is anticipating bringing his Ladoum for the contest someday. 'My parents like this and have always done it, so I like it, too,' Ibrahim said of his passion for the family's sheep-rearing business. Such passion is common in Senegal where sheep rearing is an age-old tradition deeply woven into family life and culture. Even animal traditions are passed down through the generations. Maniane Ndaw's prized sheep Alou won this year's Best Junior Male, following in the footsteps of the sheep's father who won several titles. 'For me, it's a great, great pleasure,' Mr. Ndaw said. 'It shows that the lineage is a good one.'
Al Arabiya
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
In Senegal, Luxury Sheep Shine at a Beauty Contest and Fetch a High Price
The regal creatures are led into the open arena, stamping their groomed hooves as if to acknowledge the cheers, music, and fireworks from the crowd of spectators. Their majestic figures embody pride and status; their towering size, prominent muzzle, curved horns, and polished skin on full display as night falls. Welcome to one of Senegal's most anticipated beauty pageants – not for humans, but for the locally bred Ladoum, the equivalent of a Ferrari among the woolly creatures. The annual contest featured more than a dozen Ladoum competing in three different categories: adult male, adult female, and young/promising. As each sheep is led into the open arena, a panel of judges note down their points based on distinct features like beauty, size, height, horns, and body texture for each round. Winners, announced at the end, are rewarded with food and cash prizes. This year's Best Male Adult sheep is Prive, 1 year and 7 months old, whose breeder estimated him to be worth more than 100,000 in the market. 'It feels good to be here. I cherish him so much,' Isaiah Cisse, Prive's breeder, said with a wide grin as he massaged the sheep for a successful outing. Unlike the more common sheep eaten and used as sacrifices during Muslim celebrations, the crossbreed Ladoum are mainly seen as a living, breathing symbol of social prestige and luxury, bred for years before they are sold. Widely known as one of the world's most expensive sheep, the older ones usually fetch a price of 70,000, compared to 250 for a regular sheep, and attract buyers from around the world to this West African nation of 18 million people, where livestock is a key source of livelihood. Mostly weighing up to 400 pounds (181 kilograms) and up to 4 feet (1.21 meters) in height, the Ladoum are known for their physical grandeur, with curling and symmetrical horns and lustrous sheen. As the contest unfolded in Senegal's capital, Dakar, each sheep is announced before it is led by the breeder onto an elevated stage where it is inspected by the judges, to the elation of the crowd. Each receives joyful chants from a band troupe featuring the local Senegalese instrumental Assiko music, with the sheep's praise names ringing out aloud. 'You can't see a sheep like this in Africa, or even in the world,' said Elhadji Ndiaye, a member of the judging panel. 'Ladoum is special.' Many agree with him. Musa Faye, a 22-year-old breeder, said his 18-month-old sheep was named Diomaye after Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to show the sheep's significance for him and his family. 'I spend a lot of time with him and play with him,' Faye said of his sheep. 'I am preparing him for the next competition because I know he will win (the trophy),' he added. The contest, which has been running for some years, took place alongside an exhibition that featured even young breeders like Ibrahim Diagne. At 12, he is anticipating bringing his Ladoum for the contest someday. 'My parents like this and have always done it, so I like it too,' Diagne said of his passion for the family's sheep rearing business. Such passion is common in Senegal, where sheep rearing is an age-old tradition deeply woven into family life and culture. Even animal traditions are passed down through the generations. Maniane Ndaw's prized sheep, Alou, won this year's Best Junior Male, following in the footsteps of the sheep's father, who won several titles. 'For me, it's a great, great pleasure,' Ndaw said. 'It shows that the lineage is a good one.'
The Independent
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
In Senegal, luxury sheep shine at a beauty contest and fetch a high price
The regal creatures are led into the open arena, stamping their groomed hooves as if to acknowledge the cheers, music and fireworks from the crowd of spectators. Their majestic figures embody pride and status, their towering size, prominent muzzle, curved horns and polished skin on full display as night falls. Welcome to one of Senegal's most anticipated beauty pageants – not for humans but for the locally bred Ladoum, the equivalent of a Ferrari among the woolly creatures. The annual contest featured more than a dozen Ladoum, competing in three different categories as adult male, adult female and young/promising. As each sheep is led into the open arena, a panel of judges note down their points based on distinct features like beauty, size, height, horns and body texture for each round. Winners, announced at the end, are rewarded with food and cash prizes. This year's Best Male Adult sheep is Prive, 1 year and 7months old, whose breeder estimated him to be worth more than $100,000 in the market. 'It feels good to be here, I cherish him so much,' Isaiah Cisse, Prive's breeder said with a wide grin as he massaged the sheep for a successful outing. Unlike the more common sheep eaten and used as sacrifices during Muslim celebrations, the crossbreed Ladoum are mainly seen as a living, breathing symbol of social prestige and luxury bred for years before they are sold. Widely known as one of the world's most expensive sheep, the older ones usually fetch a price of $70,000, compared to $250 for a regular sheep, and attract buyers from around the world to this West African nation of 18 million people, where livestock is a key source of livelihood. Mostly weighing up to 400 pounds (181 kilograms) and up to 4 feet (1.21 meters) in height, the Ladoum are known for their physical grandeur with curling and symmetrical horns and lustrous sheen. As the contest unfolded in Senegal's capital, Dakar, each sheep is announced before it is led by the breeder onto an elevated stage where it is inspected by the judges, to the elation of the crowd. Each receives joyful chants from a band troupe, featuring the local Senegalese instrumental Assiko music with the sheep's praise names ringing out aloud. 'You can't see a sheep like this in Africa or even in the world,' said Elhadji Ndiaye, a member of the judging panel. 'Ladoum is special.' Many agree with him. Musa Faye, a 22-year-old breeder, said his 18-month-old sheep was named Diomaye, after Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to show the sheep's significance for him and his family. 'I spend a lot of time with him and play with him,' Faye said of his sheep. 'I am preparing him for the next competition because I know he will win (the trophy),' he added. The contest, which has been running for some years, took place alongside an exhibition that featured even young breeders like Ibrahim Diagne. At 12, he is anticipating bringing his Ladoum for the contest someday. 'My parents like this and have always done it, so I like it too,' Diagne said of his passion for the family's sheep rearing business. Such passion is common in Senegal where sheep rearing is an age-old tradition deeply woven into family life and culture. Even animal traditions are passed down through the generations. Maniane Ndaw's prized sheep Alou won this year's Best Junior Male, following in the footsteps of the sheep's father who won several titles. 'For me, it's a great, great pleasure," Ndaw said. "It shows that the lineage is a good one.'
