Puppy prices peak as scams increase fourfold on last year

Puppy prices have soared during the pandemic and so too have the number of scams targeting buyers, with the consumer watchdog reporting people have been swindled out of more than $1.6 million this year.

A quick search of online marketplaces turns up dozens of people promising purebred pups for eye-watering sums, ranging between $3,000 and $10,000 each.

And small dog breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs, cavoodles and dachshunds are some of the pricier…