The Outcue: The real price of purchasing pets from the web

Have you ever seen adorable pictures of puppies for sale on social media and thought you should buy one?

Today's 21 News Outcue podcast looks at our Watchdog brand reporting... or Watch Puppy in this case... involving an investigation of alleged puppy fraud that started here in the Valley but left people around North America without a puppy or a refund. 

Our previous reporting told you about a Goshen Township woman who was facing multiple civil lawsuits over Dachshunds and English Bulldog puppies that were allegedly paid for but never delivered.

Today, Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren, along with WFMJ Weekend anchor/reporter Corey McCrae, take a look at the story behind the story, how a post on social media led us to ask for additional information and proof of the dozens of people were claiming. 

In a little digital digging, we found multiple civil lawsuits and judgments against April Waidman, also known as April Simon, and an investigation by the Goshen Township Police Department into her dealings with customers. We also found people in Florida, California, and right here in the Valley with very similar stories, most without a puppy they say they paid Waidman for.

Waidman had social media accounts where she shared updates or posted pictures of puppies for sale.

On Thursday, a Mahoning County Grand Jury indicted Waidman on 32 counts of felony theft from people who paid for puppies but never received them.

The Mahoning Co. Prosecutor told 21 News that the total amount paid by would-be dog owners was approximately $50,000, and this amount could grow if additional claims are filed.