Chris and Sheri Clifford had exhausted their search of many local shelters for a shepherd mix puppy that would do well with their cats and grandchildren. They contacted a private seller ad on Craigslist, the popular unregulated “sell anything” website, that caught their eye.

Driven by emotion to replace the dog they had just lost, they ignored the red flags and purchased a puppy from the ad.

Within 72 hours the puppy would be dead, the Cliffords owed a $2,000 vet bill and a small claims lawsuit would soon be filed against them.

“I cannot get the image of poor Tucker laying there hooked up to the IV out of my mind,” Sheri said fighting back tears. “I asked our vet what he would do, and so we relieved him of his suffering.” When the Clifford’s vet diagnosed the puppy with a later stage of Parvovirus—and it was clear he would not be able to survive it—they called the seller. She denied responsibility and refused the suggestion that the dog was sick when she delivered him. The deadly Parvovirus’ gestation period is 4-7 days. The Cliffords put a stop payment on the check for the dog which was $400.

The seller, Kelly Tanksley, quickly filed a small claim in Burien District Court and is suing for $437, the check amount and the filing fees.

Following the vet’s orders, Chris and Sheri disinfected their entire house, washing bedding, toys and dog dishes in hopes their other two dogs would not contract the disease. Luckily, they haven’t.

When we called Kelly Tanks-ley to inquire about the health of the rest of the litter and the mother, she hung up and turned the phone off. The address she lists on the Notice of Small Claim is to a Pony Express mailbox in Woodinville.

This story is a reality for people who unknowingly trust private sellers and/or backyard breeders on the Internet and purchase animals who are not properly cared for or vaccinated. The Parvovirus is just one disease out there but is perhaps the most communicable, being transferred by proximity to infected feces, toys, dishes and bedding. It travels fast and acts fast. Left undiagnosed and untreated, it is deadly. Yet according to Beth Lipton, Veterinarian for Public Health—Seattle & King County, the Parvovirus is not a public health concern and therefore they do not investigate single cases. This makes it even easier for private sellers on Craigslist to sell sick animals with no consequences.

When they bought the dog, Tanksley arranged to meet with the Cliffords in a parking lot in Woodinville. She arrived with the dog in the back of a truck. The questions that the Cliffords should have asked the seller didn’t come up because they were so taken with the puppy.

If you must buy a dog or cat from a private seller on Craig-list, demand a contract. Reputable breeders do this willingly, guaranteeing that their dogs are healthy and offer refunds if they are not. Demand to see vaccination paperwork and demand the contact info for the veterinarian that the animal has been to. Ask to see the seller’s drivers license. If you are refused any of these basic transaction details, the seller is hiding something. Do not proceed.

Remind yourself about Internet predators, and if it seems too good to be true, it is! Craigslist is a safe haven for private sellers to rip you off. Because there are no laws and protections the only way we can stop them is to stop supporting them. Prevent yourself this heartache, prevent the spread of communicable diseases within our pet community.

Look for a follow up story in November on the Clifford's case and any counter suits that may follow.