The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is warning the public about scams in which perpetrators attempt to sell mixed-breed dogs as purebreds.

In purebred puppy scams, victims may find themselves spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on supposedly purebred dogs that are not what the sellers claim. A state law requires pet shops to sell only dogs, cats and rabbits from animal shelters or rescue organizations. The intention is to make it more difficult for perpetrators to commit the scams, authorities said.

To determine if a dog is a recognized purebred, people should request the registration documents from a dog registry organization such as the American Kennel Club, Canine Kennel Club or the Continental Kennel Club. For a non-recognized breed, such as a designer breed, people should get a second opinion about breeding from an expert.

The district attorney’s office also suggests that people meet sellers and the dog in person where the animal is being housed and ask for medical records before signing a contract or paying.

For information, visit da.lacounty.gov.