Dog owners 'fleeced' in poodle scam

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http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article....&in_page_id=34

Dog owners 'fleeced' in poodle scam
Thursday, April 26, 2007



Is it a lamb? Is it a poodle? Can you spot the difference?

Thousands of people have been 'fleeced' into buying neatly coiffured lambs they thought were poodles.

Entire flocks of lambs were shipped over from the UK and Australia to Japan by an internet company and marketed as the latest 'must have' accessory.

But the scam was only spotted after a leading Japanese actress said her 'poodle' didn't bark and refused to eat dog food.



Maiko Kawakami, who starred in the Japanese thriller Violent Cop, showed photographs of her pet on a television talk show only to be told it wasn't a dog - but was in fact a lamb.

The discovery prompted hundreds of women to contact the police with similar problems and the authorities believe as many as 2,000 people have been conned.

'We launched an investigation after we were made aware that a company was selling sheep as poodles,' a police spokesman told The Sun.

'Sadly, we think there is more than one company operating in this way.

'The sheep are believed to have been imported from overseas - Britain and Australia.'



Poodles are famously used by the rich and glamourous on the continent but are extremely rare in Japan, with many people having little idea what they look like.

The company, which translates as Poodles as Pets, sold the 'poodles' for

[Jaxx]

How would you not know it was a sheep? 2,000 stupid people I guess.

[gonzo]

I'd much rather have a sheep than a poodle. It will keep the grass nicely trimmed, and provides you a sweater every fall. Let's see a poodle do that.

[accadacca]

I'd much rather have a sheep than a poodle.

Ah hell! Lets not get THAT going.

[sparker1]

Yeah, you probably got the ugliest one in the whole flock.

[JP]

The one on the left is the poodle

[Scott Card]

"Honey, look at the new poodle I got. It is the smartest dog ever.... just watch. Fifi! Bark like a sheep...."

"BAAAAA"

"See, smartest dog ever!"

"No Sweetie, that IS a sheep....and your a natural blonde right?"

[RugerShooter]

Thats funny stuff man some people just are not that bright.

[Sombeech]

Hmmm, this one's humping less than last year's model.

[nefarious]

I'd much rather have a sheep than a poodle.

Who wouldn't? Man, those guys don't know jack about having a good time!