Brady warns about rise in dog thefts
A WICKLOW TD has warned about a rise in dog thefts in the Garden County.
There have been numerous reports on social media of suspicious marks left outside properties of dog owners in the county, leading to concerns that would-be dog thieves are targeting specific locations.
Sinn Féin Deputy John Brady said, ‘over the last number of weeks there have been a large number of cases of dogs and puppies being reported as stolen in Wicklow. Gardaí have also urged pet owners to report any suspicious marks on gates and walls following a shocking rise in the number of dog thefts’.
He said that animal welfare groups have ‘warned’ that many people have decided to get a new puppy or dog while they are at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘As a result, the prices being charged for pets have soared. Thieves have taken advantage of the situation and begun stealing peoples’ pets to sell on to unsuspecting people at a huge cost.
‘I am deeply concerned that puppies are being perceived as “lucrative” by opportunistic and heartless thieves, who callously sell them on to make money without giving any thought to the impact of their actions. A pedigree Labrador pup that cost €500 before the lockdown is selling for €2,000 now. Similarly, designer crossbreeds such as the cockapoo or the labradoodle, which sold for €350 before the lockdown are now making €2,000-€2,700, and even mongrel pups, which had no value before the lockdown, are selling for €250,’ Deputy Brady said.
The Sinn Féin TD urged people to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to the gardaí.
‘If you own a puppy, consider having it micro-chipped and also consider whether it can be vulnerable to theft if left alone in an unsecured area at your home. If you are buying a puppy, please be careful to ensure you are dealing with a legitimate seller,’ Deputy Brady added.