Dog's Trust Glasgow are helping others in the city to recognise the signs and symptoms of puppy-farming and animal abuse.

Their new campaign 'Don't Be Dogfished' launched yesterday, in which Dogs Trust will travel the UK in a 'fake' puppy van, adapted by dirt artist Ruddy Muddy, to highlight how easy it is to be duped by a seller, and the conditions that the dogs are forced to travel in.

Claire Cairney, an Assistant Manager in Dog's Trust Scotland which has premises based in Uddingston, has said that it is 'so easy' for a potential puppy owner to be duped by bogus sellers.

"One of the worst cases of dogfishing I have seen was when we had someone tell us they had responded to an online advert, but abandoned the sale when they felt that something wasn't right.

"A couple of days later we were called out and the same puppy from the advert had been abandoned on the street. It had some really bad issues and hadn't been medicated properly, or had the socialisation that it needed."

Claire has said that although it can be easy to fall prey to the scams, there are some signs to look out for.

Read more: 'Dogfishing' scam newest ruse to dupe Glasgow dog lovers

"In this world we can get something we want fairly quickly and effectively - if you go online now, you can see adverts for hundreds of puppies.

"Buying puppies off these types of breeders is doing nothing for the pups themselves. In many cases they have been removed from their mothers from a very young age, kept in cages alongside far too many other pups and transported to the country with little food or air and no cleanliness.

"The affect that this can have on the pups can stay with them throughout their lives. They may not have good social habits, they can be worried and anxious and have adverse behaviour".

Acording to Claire, there are ways to spot a rogue dog-breeder or dogfisher.

"Before buying a puppy you should always visit both pup and mum two, three or four times. Ask loads of questions and get documentation to show where the pup came from.

"As horrible as it is, if someone is making it too easy for you - it usually is too good to be true.

"It might be hard, but walk away, and tell the RSPCA."