‘Dog-nappers’ earmarked Castlebar house for attention
By Tom Shiel
A CASTLEBAR family has warned the general public about the activities of dog thieves after finding suspicious markers outside their home.
Numerous reports of chalk markings and ties singling out homes where there are dogs have been made around the county.
The family in question, who do not want to be identified, believe they have thwarted a brazen attempt to steal ‘Molly’, their beautiful and beloved Golden Retriever.
They employed the use of CCTV after finding two suspicious items, one on their driveway and the other on the steps of the shed where Molly sleeps.
Examination of the camera footage showed a number of men prowling around the shed in the early morning hours.
However, the enclosure had been locked and Molly escaped the clutches of the nefarious ‘dog nappers’.
The family took the precaution of locking the shed and activating CCTV after finding two items which were alien to their property.
Said the husband: “Firstly, I found a cable tie, which has a very unusual blue colour, on the driveway.
“The item had absolutely nothing to do with any work I was doing recently.
“Secondly, there was a small plastic, red coloured, strip on the steps of the shed where Molly sleeps.
“We took the precaution of locking the shed and activating CCTV.
“The next morning we viewed the CCTV and spotted two men prowling in our driveway around 6 a.m.
“It was quite a relief when we found Molly safe and sound, in her locked shed, wagging her tail, unaware of the drama.
“She was a gift to our daughter for her first holy communion and is a truly adorable pet, friendly to everyone.”
The incident has disturbed and worried the family involved.
“I’m a nervous wreck. I haven’t slept for nights worried for the safety of Molly and the thought of intruders on our property,” the couple stated.
The experience of the Castlebar family is mirrored by many others throughout the country.
Gardaí say that every day of the week recently in the Republic somebody’s dog has been stolen.
A range of markings are being used by gang scouts to identify houses where valuable dogs have been homed.
“Lock up your dogs at night. Use CCTV to protect your property. Beware of suspicious vehicular activity.” That’’s the advice of gardaí.
* Pictured is a tie marker found by a property owner in Kilmaine at their home.