Dog theft has been a crime on the increase in recent months, with several examples evident around the country of the theft of both adult dogs and puppies in recent weeks.
All dog owners – including farmers and rural-dwellers must therefore be vigilant to prevent instances of dog theft hitting them and their pets/work animals.
In a bid to help on this front, An Garda Síochána has outlined six key “tips to beat dog thieves”.
- Get your dog microchipped if not already done;
- Keep your dog in sight;
- Think about CCTV;
- Don’t tie up your dog;
- Report theft immediately;
- Buy from a trusted source.
In the case of microchipping, Gardaí highlight that this is the law, adding that it also makes them easy to identify if found. Meanwhile, timing is crucial when reporting dog theft – it’s important to act quickly, Gardaí underline.
To complement these tips, An Garda Síochána Laois Offaly outlined extra advice provided by the local crime prevention officer.
Dog owners are advised to keep dogs effectively controlled including movements within domain. When at home, it is recommended to carry out regular checks about the home and perimeter, and consider other technology to deter and detect movement.
Finally, Gardaí are appealing to the public to take extra crime prevention measures when it comes to caring for your pet, particularly high-value breeds of dogs.