Travelers trying to steal my dog

Allegrif

I have a 3 month old Alaskan Malamute pedigree puppy. When we walk her she always gets a lot of attention, I think probably because she's quite a rare breed. Anyway, she howls when she's outside so everyone in the area knows where she lives. A couple of nights ago we caught a lad (maybe 15?) who we know to be a traveler stood in our garden. Now let me explain that to get into our garden you've got to climb onto an 8 foot concrete wall off a main road, then balance on it past 3 other gardens before you'd reach us. That's a lot of effort to just randomly end up in our garden.

Then tonight we took her for a walk and a silver Volkswagen Passat estate followed us almost the entire way, going past us repeatedly. They even pulled onto our tiny cul-de-sac and followed us at about 4mph, before doing a u-turn and driving off.

What really gets me is that I know exactly where these people live, and the car had a lad in it who must have been 9 at the oldest. They were teaching him either how to nick dogs or which ones were worth nicking.

What can I do? She's too small to be threatening to anyone, and we can't be in the house with her all the time. We don't have an alarm. I'm really quite frightened someone's going to nab her. It's even scarier because we're not native to Waterford so have absolutely no family or friends here.

Sully

If the car is freaking you out, get the reg and report it to the Gardai.

If someone trespasses in your gardens, report it to the Gardai immediately.

If someone is acting suspiciously around your property, report it to the Gardai immediately.

Can you not leave the dog in the garden or do something to 'up' the security? If the house is fairly secure they may not break in but if they can mount a wall into your backgarden it's a different kettle of fish.

Allegrif

Only thing putting me of the Gardai is fear of what'd happen to me. The gypsies living near us are not a nice bunch at all. We can walk down the street and they shout abuse at us without even knowing who we are, without us saying a word. From what I've heard from others around here even the Gardai are scared of this particular bunch. They're just left to do what they want. I'd be too scared to report them. We're looking at alarm systems but they're expensive and a motion detector would be no good with the dog. We're also only in Waterford until about January, so it'd be a lot of money for not a long time if we bought an alarm.

kjbsrah1

Make sure the dog is chipped at the very least so that if she is stolen and found/recovered s/he will be returned to you. Too many dogs stolen with no identifier on them and too many recovered and no way of knowing where the dogs owners are...

Allegrif

She's chipped

jayboi

Are you keeping the dog in at night?

Allegrif

jayboi wrote: »

Are you keeping the dog in at night?

Yes, she's an indoor dog. Still very young and not fully trained so she sleeps in a crate at night and when we're out.

jayboi

Allegrif wrote: »

Yes, she's an indoor dog. Still very young and not fully trained so she sleeps in a crate at night and when we're out.

Do you think they might try and break in your house?

Allegrif

jayboi wrote: »

Do you think they might try and break in your house?

I really don't know, that's why I'm asking for advice. Every instinct tells me to phone the Gardai, but we have horror stories from family friends over what happened when they reported gypsies over in England

Squatman

Allegrif wrote: »

I really don't know, that's why I'm asking for advice. Every instinct tells me to phone the Gardai, but we have horror stories from family friends over what happened when they reported gypsies over in England

How far would you be willing to let them go before you called the gaurds? If they stabbed you, would you be still afraid of what they would do?

Heathen

Get the cops involved, they are well aware of "members of the copper recycling community" robbing dogs, its happened a good few times and they will do it again because they have no respect for anyone else, anyones property or anyones possessions... Best to get the details (car reg, description of occupants of car etc..) to the cops so that in the event your dog is taken they will have a line of inquiry to follow before the dog gets transported to one of their other nomad camps up the country..

H

Mountainsandh

It's an expense, but maybe doggy day care might set your mind at rest for the few months you'll be there ?
http://www.innthedoghouse.ie/play---doggie-day-care
That's only an example that came up in google search, there might be others.

Maybe even just 2 or 3 weeks of daycare might put them off the scent...

mphalo1

my god id sell the house and move as far away as possible no joking !

dzilla

Call the guards. We had a similiar situation before, the sight of the guards changed everything haven't had a problem since.

TheBlaaMan

It's not too expensive to get a webcam set up watching over the garden and use a PC connected to it to take still images every 5 or 10 seconds. You can do this under control of the webcam software.These images can then be formed into a stop-motion video if needed to review every evening. Get a good quality/HD Webcam (some point-and-shoot digital cameras might even work) as image recognition will be important for the guards should someone get into the garden; mount it inside a window where it isn't easily blocked - preferably upstairs. Put up a BIG sign staying that the garden is under constant video surveillance (bearing in mind your neighbours right to privacy etc) Deterrence is possibly as much as you can do.

Allegrif

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I just wish I didn't have to feel unsafe in my own house, no matter what I end up doing about it. It's just not right is it? I mean it's bad enough to steal someone'e bike or their TV, but their dog? That takes a new level of cruelty.

bazual

Possibly something like this as well but if they take the collar off there and then I don't know if it would be much good.

http://tractive.com/shop/en/tractive-gps-gerat

Allegrif

bazual wrote: »

Possibly something like this as well but if they take the collar off there and then I don't know if it would be much good.

Brilliant idea that, I'll just have a look and see if I can find a less noticeable one. Thanks

Duvetdays

I can't see how a web cam would be much of a deterrent. These people know they're pretty much above the law for a lot of things, the police either can't be bothered with the hassle or their hands are tied. Plus she'd be long gone by the time the police call to the house.

I'd doggy day care her for the remainder of time you're in Waterford it's piece of mind. GPS on her collar is a good idea but the collar will be removed as soon as they take her. I'd put on her tag that's she microchipped and neutered even if she isn't neutered yet, that way if they where planning on selling her to a puppy farm breeder she won't be of any use then but unfortunately it won't stop them trying to sell her at one of the fairs. I'd also probably invest in a big stick or a can of pepper spray for when your walking her in case they try and grab her off you.

Knock Off Nigel

Buy yourself a glock 17 only way to protect you and your dog in this day and age

Mr_Red

I see the mention of webcams which is a good Idea but not a deterrent.

What you actually want is big ass CCTV cameras which are clearly viable in the front side and back of your house

I would also put Sensor lights in that react to movement.

No point in recording the crime. Better to deter it from happening

JIdontknow

I would second what was said here. Also Sensor Lights out the back will act as a deterrant, someone in the yard / garden will panic when the light comes on. Maybe have two, on your back wall facing into the garden, one set slightly to the left, and one set slightly to the right, to cover all angles. If you have just one pointing straight out theres blind spots at the sides.

Secondly, a dummy alarm box might be a deterrant if you cannot afford a proper alarm system. The visible box types that can be bought on ebay etc (aldi or lidl had them a few weeks ago).

Another little thing is when leaving the house unoccupied, leave on a radio/tv, light etc so people think someone is home...Can you move from there earlier than January? Chat with your neighbours too, maybe all pull together as a neighbourhood watch and explain what has happened to them... No neighbourhood wants this happening to them.

ice30

most modern alarms that have motion detection wont be set off by a cat or dog,think a good system would be about €1200 or that

ice30

there was a word introduced years ago...anarcho tyranny, the tyranny is the law abiding citizen getting more and more rules and regulations put upon them and the anarchy is people like this going out doing what they like and the powers that be will stand and do nothing this is why this country is goin down the toilet, maybe you should report them to the gardai but at the end of the day these guys probably have no fixed abode or they will say this anyway

Chip Whitley

Hope you can get sorted with something that makes you a bit more comfortable OP, horrible situation to be in.

TheQuietFella

Purchase a fire arm - legally & let them know you have one!

bucketybuck

Get another dog as a playmate for the puppy.

And by other dog I mean an attack bear.

Larbre34

I wonder when the point will come in this Country that sheltering under a claim of ethnicity or the flag of convenience that is the equal status act will no longer be acceptable to the population as a whole as an excuse for petty theft, serious crime, intimidation, violence, tax evasion and laundering, public order offences, road traffic offences and animal cruelty.

Allegrif

Larbre34 wrote: »

I wonder when the point will come in this Country that sheltering under a claim of ethnicity or the flag of convenience that is the equal status act will no longer be acceptable to the population as a whole as an excuse for petty theft, serious crime, intimidation, violence, tax evasion and laundering, public order offences, road traffic offences and animal cruelty.

The group I'm on about treat their horses like absolute dirt. We've seen them beating them in the middle of the road, but what can you even do? The ISPCA know them well, we see their van on their patch all the time, but it seems they can't do anything about it. They did take one of their dogs once, but that's it.

Digital Society

You say he was in your garden but what was he actually doing?

Was he at the dog, calling the dog, lifting the dog? What disturbed him? What made you think hes after your dog exactly? What happened in the time he got in and the time he left?

Seems like a really dumb move to drive along beside someone at 4mph if you intend on robbing from them. Why would the do that if they already know where you live?

Also in the whole time the car was driving beside you you didnt think to take out a phone and start recording a video no?

None of this makes any sense or theres a lot of info being left out. Slight paranoia exaggeration id say.

Either way bring the dog into the kitchen at night. Itll give the neighbours a break from your dog howling which im sure they dont like anyway.

Allegrif

Digital Society wrote: »

You say he was in your garden but what was he actually doing?

Was he at the dog, calling the dog, lifting the dog? What disturbed him? What made you think hes after your dog exactly? What happened in the time he got in and the time he left?

Seems like a really dumb move to drive along beside someone at 4mph if you intend on robbing from them. Why would the do that if they already know where you live?

Also in the whole time the car was driving beside you you didnt think to take out a phone and start recording a video no?

None of this makes any sense or theres a lot of info being left out. Slight paranoia exaggeration id say.

Either way bring the dog into the kitchen at night. Itll give the neighbours a break from your dog howling which im sure they dont like anyway.

The lad jumped off the wall down into our garden, had a look round and scarpered. I didn't say anything to him because I have about as much confidence as a three-legged squirrel, that's just how I am. At school I was the quiet kid at the back who got bullied and so never said a word, and that stuck with me. Car was probably a follow-up to make sure it was this house. We don't take our phones when we walk the dog. There are only two of us in the country, no family or friends. Phones are pretty much useless to us if we're only going to be out 20 minutes with people all around us.

If it's paranoia it's only because there have been lots of break-ins here recently according to our letting agent and the house across the street has a garden surrounded by razor wire on top of its walls.

I think it's pretty sensible to be wary.

Also, if you read the thread you'd know I keep her in at night. She only goes out for a pee.

Brian Lighthouse

Just spotted this thread on the top ten, anyway, up this way the new trend is to steal a much loved dog and let the distraught owners know where the dog is. The dog will be given back to the owners for a sum of money. Relief all-round eh?
If they were following you, I think they were letting you know where to drop the money just in case you do find the dog is not in the garden, while also checking out if you were they type to afford €250 or €500.
Keep your pets in, and away from the blackmailers.

On the other hand if your dog is howling all night maybe it's one of your neigbours who asked the local dog hit-man to do a job on your fella. I doubt it though, it's a cute little puppy. - (edit here) You can rule this out is it only goes out for a pee.
Also do you know that Huskies can dig about 3-4 feet underground and make tunnels? I wish you the best with your dog and I hope it remains with you, but Huskies are not pets. They are bred for a different reason. I know this is off topic, but I wanted to say that.
Probably not advisable to let people know to much about your house either.

Allegrif

Brian Lighthouse wrote: »

Just spotted this thread on the top ten, anyway, up this way the new trend is to steal a much loved dog and let the distraught owners know where the dog is. The dog will be given back to the owners for a sum of money. Relief all-round eh?
If they were following you, I think they were letting you know where to drop the money just in case you do find the dog is not in the garden, while also checking out if you were they type to afford €250 or €500.
Keep your pets in, and away from the blackmailers.

On the other hand if your dog is howling all night maybe it's one of your neigbours who asked the local dog hit-man to do a job on your fella. I doubt it though, it's a cute little puppy.
Also do you know that Huskies can dig about 3-4 feet underground and make tunnels? I wish you the best with your dog and I hope it remains with you, but Huskies are not pets. They are bred for a different reason. I know this is off topic, but I wanted to say that.

She's not a Husky. Huskies are mental. She's an Alaskan Malamute, they look similar but are considerably bigger and much, much calmer. Huskies are the ones built for speed and energy. She's still a puppy and she's incredibly lazy. She's still a sled dog yes, but if anyone has time for her it's us. We don't work (not claiming anything, have our own money), so we have all the time in the world for her, and we're young and healthy. Just sayin'

Brian Lighthouse

Cool.

Timmyctc

Digital Society wrote: »

You say he was in your garden but what was he actually doing?

Was he at the dog, calling the dog, lifting the dog? What disturbed him? What made you think hes after your dog exactly? What happened in the time he got in and the time he left?

Seems like a really dumb move to drive along beside someone at 4mph if you intend on robbing from them. Why would the do that if they already know where you live?

Also in the whole time the car was driving beside you you didnt think to take out a phone and start recording a video no?

None of this makes any sense or theres a lot of info being left out. Slight paranoia exaggeration id say.

Either way bring the dog into the kitchen at night. Itll give the neighbours a break from your dog howling which im sure they dont like anyway.

Jesus is it that hard to believe like? We're not tarring all with the same brush here but from what he OP says (Which is all any of us have to go on) this particular group sound like your bog standard 'copper recycling' scum. You don't find it suspicious a 15 year old lad was just dandering around in their back garden. Just init for a walk was he?

And save the faux outrage about the dog barking. Defender of the minorities here are ye? There's less of them than us so they must be allowed do what they please. The man feared for losing his dog must be in the wrong.

Digital Society

Timmyctc wrote: »

Jesus is it that hard to believe like? We're not tarring all with the same brush here but from what he OP says (Which is all any of us have to go on) this particular group sound like your bog standard 'copper recycling' scum. You don't find it suspicious a 15 year old lad was just dandering around in their back garden. Just init for a walk was he?

And save the faux outrage about the dog barking. Defender of the minorities here are ye? There's less of them than us so they must be allowed do what they please. The man feared for losing his dog must be in the wrong.

Faux outrage. Theres a good one.

Of course i find it dodgy alright but what indication was given they are after the dog is the point im making? Where they lifting the dog over the wall when bothered? Where they whistling to call the dog? Was the dog even in the garden?

Also explain why they would drive along beside them at 4mph? What was to gain by that? They where already in the garden so know where the house is.

Travellers or not this doesnt make sense.

bucketybuck

Digital Society wrote: »

Also explain why they would drive along beside them at 4mph? What was to gain by that? They where already in the garden so know where the house is.

Travellers or not this doesnt make sense.

Of course it does.

Say they heard there was an expensive dog around and they want to get a look at it first before deciding to steal a dog that turns out to be a mutt. How do they look at the dog, they can't knock on the door after all? Well, maybe they seen the dog being walked, and having no shame drove up and followed it for a short bit, getting a good look and trying to judge if it really was a pedigree dog.

You'll see it from gypsies full time, they'll brazenly drive into a yard and slowly drive around it scoping out anything worth stealing.

Mountainsandh

If I recall right, there has also been at least one instance that I know of, of a dog being snatched from its owner there and then on the street, in Waterford. Snatching the dog is easy I suppose, but to get away quickly you need a car.

TheBlaaMan

Dogs are also been taking for use by the dog-fighting fraternity. Its a disgusting and horrendous thing to consider, for they have no intention of using the dogs in fights, but just using them as training fodder for their pit-bulls and the like. These family pets have next to no chance of surviving such an encounter. If I caught a young fella in my back garden I wouldn't think twice about taking every action against him I felt I needed to - any. I'm prepared. I'll take my chances and face the consequences...... Scum

crustybla

The op is right to be paranoid about it. I was walking with my 8 yr old daughter and my prize pet ( a little 18 month old pedigree mutt!) when a bunch of these wonderful, honest, poor put-upon 'people' pulled up in their (fairly new) car beeping and roaring 'give us de dag Mrs', and not in a nice way. My poor daughter got a fright. They're renowned for it.
Doggie day care is a great suggestion op. I would ring the guards though, at least it's logged so they'll be aware of it. Whether they'd do anything about it is anyone's guess though.
It's awful that you have to worry about this.

Thoie

Can you put spikes on the back wall? There could be issues of liability if someone hurt themselves on it, but by the sounds of it, it's not a wall that people would be hopping over to get a ball back.

If you're nervous/shy, I bet a whole bunch of boardsies would happily record a "Get the f*** out of my garden" or "Get away from the f***ing dog before I bates ya" roars that you could play out the window

mphalo1

so she's to neuter the dog ,put a GPS tracking collar on it labeling its neutered , micro chipped, full CCTV , Razer wire fence on the wall , inform the gaurds, get an attack bear , a fire arm, keep the dog indoors at night and in doggy day care while at work with a big sign up saying the house is under 24 hr CCTV and if all that doesn't work sell the house and move as far away as possible .( sorted!

ice30

these guys are scum op, with a total disregard for everyone and I hope they do not get ethnic status as they do not deserve it, being 'traveller'or whatever u want to call it, is a lifestyle choice, their kids are pulled out of school early to go to horse fairs and the like, and finish school with barely an education at all,so are destined for the dole, could nt we all be travelers if we wanted to ,get some cash, buy a hiace ,sell some gates, talk like an ar*sehole and marry your cousin, its about time the powers that be stand up for the ordinary descent tax payer in country, and bring in strict laws for these overfed and under worked parasites

Jboss

Not the best looking dogs

maggiepip

Digital Society wrote: »

Faux outrage. Theres a good one.

Of course i find it dodgy alright but what indication was given they are after the dog is the point im making? Where they lifting the dog over the wall when bothered? Where they whistling to call the dog? Was the dog even in the garden?

Also explain why they would drive along beside them at 4mph? What was to gain by that? They where already in the garden so know where the house is.

Travellers or not this doesnt make sense.

They were brazenly sussing out the best plan of action. The reason they were so obvious about it is that certain minorities have no fear of the law.

Mountainsandh

I agree, there's enough precedents in co Waterford in the last few years to justify being very suspicious of someone jumping into your garden and following you in the car when you walk the dog.
The number of "missing posters" on Facebook where dogs have been taken from a back garden/yard is shocking.

Finnbar01

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

Dogs are also been taking for use by the dog-fighting fraternity. Its a disgusting and horrendous thing to consider, for they have no intention of using the dogs in fights, but just using them as training fodder for their pit-bulls and the like. These family pets have next to no chance of surviving such an encounter. If I caught a young fella in my back garden I wouldn't think twice about taking every action against him I felt I needed to - any. I'm prepared. I'll take my chances and face the consequences...... Scum

And the Gardaí and pound know about this and refuse to do anything about it, therefore condone it.

Whatsisname

Thoie wrote: »

Can you put spikes on the back wall? There could be issues of liability if someone hurt themselves on it, but by the sounds of it, it's not a wall that people would be hopping over to get a ball back.

If you're nervous/shy, I bet a whole bunch of boardsies would happily record a "Get the f*** out of my garden" or "Get away from the f***ing dog before I bates ya" roars that you could play out the window

Anyone trying to climb over an 8 foot wall deserves to be hurt, theres a reason its not half the size

old_aussie

Place highly visible "Aggressive Guard Dog" signs.

also "electronic surveylance signs"

Highly visible real or fake surveillance cameras, the ones that sound alarm when the beam is broken.

Deranged96

If i saw anyone, man woman or child, go after my dog I would not be responsible for my actions.

OP, i'd say walk the dog around their turf, and if you're a woman bring a man along with you.
They know you have a good dog and now they need to know that you know they have their eyes on her.
I'd also report that incident with the young fella to the gaurds and if you plan on getting a second dog, get a shepherd, one with an attitude. they're too common to be targets but are worth their weight in gold to have walking around the garden ( make sure its not one of these new fangled ones they've breed to be quiet as a lamb)
and yeah, c'mon, if you're living in a town anyway you need to have a security system of some sort.

onethreefive

I would definitely report the thing about someone being in your garden.

Does/Could the dog sleep in the same room or near your room? That might provide some comfort at night knowing the dog is safe.

I firmly believe anyone that can steal another persons pet is truly evil.

I sincerely wish you the best and I hope it works out OK for you.