Please remember not to leave your dogs unwatched in gardens in the UK or Ireland!
From the Irish Independent
From the Irish Independent
PURE-BRED dogs are being stolen from homes and kennels by a group of roaming thieves who aim to sell the animals at a world famous fair in England next month.
Gardai across the Mid-West region are investigating the thefts of numerous pure-bred dogs and pups which they believe were stolen by a gang based on the southside of Limerick city.
The dogs are then kept at a secret location in the county before they are transported illegally across the Irish Sea for next month's Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria.
Thefts of such animals are understood to be widespread throughout the region but are predominant in east Limerick.
Gardai are urging the owners of all pure-bred dogs to make sure their pets are secure and safe from the thieves.
Investigations into the recent dog thefts continue and a young bichon frise which was stolen from the Charleville area was recovered in Southill, Limerick last week.
The gang, who are well known to gardai, are specifically targeting un-neutered pure-bred females as a profit can also be made from their offspring.
The Appleby Horse Fair will be held from June 7-13 and attracts many people hoping to purchase good-quality animals at low prices, including pure-bred dogs. The Limerick gang will sell on stolen pure breds at the fair.
The dogs, which can fetch up to thousands of euro, will be sold at cheaper rates as they are without paperwork.