Bella the Rhodesian Ridgeback, on the run in Galtee area
Members of the public in The Avondhu area are being asked to keep an eye out for Bella, a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog who has been spotted in Tipperary/Limerick border area, and has been on the run for almost eight weeks.
Her owner Charles O’Brien, would like to urge people not to approach her, as her reaction is difficult to predict. She has been on her own for a number of weeks now.
Charles is the son of famed Irish horse trainer Vincent O’Brien. Donal Ryan, former employee of Coolmore stud, is assisting the family with the recovery of their dog.
“We’re eager to try and catch her. She’s been on her own, she may have gotten a tip off an electric fence, and so we don’t know how she’ll react. She’s beloved by the family, and so I’m trying to help them to get her back. The best thing anyone can do is to try to catch her in an enclosed yard and call us as soon as they can.”
Bella escaped from a farm in Fethard where she was being covered, and stayed around the farm for two weeks. Charles, who lives in Kildare, states that she is normally very friendly, but over this time she would not approach people, though she did stay in the location.
Over the next five weeks, Bella stayed in the Fethard area, and was sighted frequently, before spending two nights in the Dean of Cashel’s garden at the end of July.
On Wednesday, 28th July, she was sighted on the M8 motorway near Cahir early in the morning, sheltered by the concrete barrier in the middle of the road. Gardaí were called to the scene, and she was safely removed from the motorway, however she ran away into the fields. On Thursday, Bella was sighted in the Galtee Castle area.
She has also been reported in Glengarra, Skeheenarinky and in the Burncourt area, and appears to be heading south towards Mitchelstown.
She has not been spotted since last Thursday, but Charles is asking people to please contact him if they see her.
“I’m not sure what she’s eating - some people have left food out for her when they see her, but she may also be eating rabbits. She looks remarkably well in the photos people have sent me. She is normally very friendly, but I would not recommend anyone try to approach her, as she has been on her own for a number of weeks now.”
If you have seen Bella, or do see her, please contact either Charles on 087 2543884, or dog warden John O’Neill on 087-8280080.