05 August 2023 , 02:25
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A man in Argentina found out the hard way that good things don't come cheap and cheap things aren't usually good when he brought home what he thought were toy poodles, but turned out to be rodents blasted with hormones.
In Catacarma, Argentina, an unnamed man spent $150 on two animals that were supposed to be toy poodles and brought them home to his family, according to the Daily Mail. To his horror, when he took them to their first vaccination appointment, the veterinarian informed him that they weren't poodles.
They weren't even dogs. It turned out that the market stall where the man bought these creatures was running a scam. They were breeding and selling white ferrets that were pumped full of hormones upon birth and had their coats combed out in a way that made them seem extra fluffy.
This toy poodle may sometimes resemble a large rodent, but there are some key differences to help differentiate (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Ferrets have pointed noses and faces like most rodents, but with so much fur, it was easy to pass them off as tiny dogs. Toy poodles are a popular breed all over the world - and the smaller they are, the more expensive. These tiny animals are often the size of rodents, and evidently, that makes them easy to sell to unsuspecting individuals.
Ferrets have pointier noses and smaller ears than dogs, for one - but it can be hard to tell when the ferret's fur has been brushed out like in this case (Burton Mail)This is a continuing scam in the giant La Salada market, where another woman told authorities she was told she was buying a Chihuahua dog, but similarly, when she got home, relatives informed her she ended up with a large ferret. Neither individual has filed official complaints, though.
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Typically a toy poodle costs around $1,000 in the US, while a ferret can be obtained for just $75. Ferrets make excellent pets as well, so it may not have been a total loss - these small furry rodents are extremely mischievous and playful and can even be trained just like a small dog.
A man and a woman got duped on two separate occasions in an Argentinian market as they were trying to buy dogs - but ended up with ferrets (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Poodles come in a variety of colours, while ferrets are usually black, brown, or white. Ferrets are usually smaller, weighing around three pounds, while a toy poodle can weigh anywhere between five to 10 lbs. Also - poodles bark and make obvious noises, while ferrets hiss and make clucking noises.
Finally, keep in mind that reliable breeders are keen for dogs to go to good homes and are fine with individuals taking some time to check out the animal and think about it. If someone's trying to force a sale or you're in a marketplace and aren't sure - chances are you're being duped.