Dog thieves North Dublin

peavey555

Hi all

Recently when walking my dog I got asked some strange questions from guys sitting in a car. Do you have paper on her ? Where do you live ? Same thing happen to my miss few days before. Ive read somewhere in the past that dog theft is becoming more common. Was anyone in the similar situation before ?

They were not dog enthusiasts that you usually meet.

Arbiter of Good Taste

peavey555 wrote: »

Hi all

Recently when walking my dog I got asked some strange questions from guys sitting in a car. Do you have paper on her ? Where do you live ? Same thing happen to my miss few days before. Ive read somewhere in the past that dog theft is becoming more common. Was anyone in the similar situation before ?

They were not dog enthusiasts that you usually meet.

No, but my dog trainer advised us that there are guys hanging out in St Anne's park, waiting for off lead dogs to wander into the trees, where they snatch them.

Also, according to the trainer, there are guys in white vans actually following people home to see where they live and marking their walls, or footpath outside the house, with a chalk symbol so that someone can come back during working hours and break in to steal the dog.

So don't answer any suspicious questions, and if you are suspicious drop into the conversation that the dog is neutered. They are mostly looking for dogs to breed in puppy farms. If you think you are being followed, take a long way home, or avoid going home if possible.

Check for markings outside your house.

And report anything suspicious to the Gardai. At least they can warn people.

I have heard about st annes park also, i reported in in Animals and Pets. Dog walkers there where warned that there were guys doing that. Last year i heard about a girl walking an Akita, had the dog stolen from her in Mulhuddart. A guy in a Blue Subaru.

Its becoming more and more common. Even if you look on adverts. So many dogs are stolen and shipped to the UK in a matter of days.

Here is the worst part. If somebody is caught steeling a dog. They will get a suspended sentence and not do any time. Due to the monetary value of the theft.

To the family who's dog is stolen, its a lifetime of misery.

peavey555

thanks Arbiter. will keep an eye out

Dre as in drey
how did they manage to steal Akita ? was it a puppy ? I have a big dog aswell (over 50kg). I cant imagine anyone getting close to her.

Literally picked it up dragged it off her and threw it in the car.

DforDisaster

Deleted User wrote: »

Literally picked it up dragged it off her and threw it in the car.

This scares the pants off me and is something I worry about when walking our dog on my own. I'm not well built, nor am I any good at defending myself.

DforDisaster

DforDisaster wrote: »

This scares the pants off me and is something I worry about when walking our dog on my own. I'm not well built, nor am I any good at defending myself.

I wouldnt worry too much about that, alot of the time they dont want to be seen. I have the same worry in my house and my dogs. My house has been attempted 6 times and i have managed to catch them every time. But i feel my luck is running out.I am half considering re-homing my dogs to safer homes due fear i have of them falling into the wrong hands. Gardai will not lift a finger. 2 neighbors where done last night

The perils of living close to a certain Irish demographic.

Knine

Deleted User wrote: »

I wouldnt worry too much about that, alot of the time they dont want to be seen. I have the same worry in my house and my dogs. My house has been attempted 6 times and i have managed to catch them every time. But i feel my luck is running out.I am half considering re-homing my dogs to safer homes due fear i have of them falling into the wrong hands. Gardai will not lift a finger. 2 neighbors where done last night

The perils of living close to a certain Irish demographic.

Terrible. My house was done last August. The culprits are still out & still breaking into other houses.

I now have cameras with motion detect & if movement is detected then I get a message to my phone. I can also view my house via camera through my phone when out & about or depending on where I put the camera from upstairs at night.

Don't rehome your dogs. Terrible that you feel forced to do that.

I woke up to about 10 texts from neighbors. 6 This morning my neighbor woke up with a knife to her throat by a man holding her little dog. He then put the knife to the dogs throat and threatens to kill him and he if she didnt get the keys to the car

Tranceypoo

Deleted User wrote: »

I woke up to about 10 texts from neighbors. 6 This morning my neighbor woke up with a knife to her throat by a man holding her little dog. He then put the knife to the dogs throat and threatens to kill him and he if she didnt get the keys to the car

Oh my F***ing GOD!!! Are your neighbour and her dog ok?

kylith

Deleted User wrote: »

I woke up to about 10 texts from neighbors. 6 This morning my neighbor woke up with a knife to her throat by a man holding her little dog. He then put the knife to the dogs throat and threatens to kill him and he if she didnt get the keys to the car

Jesus, I hope she's ok.

Always leave car keys and wallet somewhere downstairs that they can find them. I know it's awful, but I'd prefer for them to help themselves and leave than to come looking for stuff.

And I know barking dogs are a nuisance, but they're one of the best burglar deterrents if you don't have an alarm.

tk123

My god that's awful Dre Can I ask what area that's in (in Glasnevin/Drumcondra myself)? We have bell boxes on both sides of the house and alarm on at night or when we're out BUT i'd stopped putting it on when I was doing some training with the dogs working on Bailey's sep. anxiety because he was setting it off - going to take my chances now and leave it on!! Still leaves me with the dilemma of keeping him confined to one room though (Lucy robs his treat and then he barks the whole time) - Bailey is the one who'd bark/possibly attack an intruder but I don't think Lucy would do anything!

Its Dublin 15. Its very sad and a constant battle here, which is a shame because its such a nice place.

Todd Toddington III

jesus lads where do ye live? wouldn't you love to catch them in the act with hurl in hand.

Vel

Deleted User wrote: »

I am half considering re-homing my dogs to safer homes due fear i have of them falling into the wrong hands.

The perils of living close to a certain Irish demographic.

I get this and completely understand where you are coming from. A good few years ago that certain demographic got wind of where we lived with our lurcher :eek: You can imagine how interested they were. We tired to get the Guards involved but they weren't interested and advised us to rehome the dog :mad: We were terrified to leave him on his own when we went to work, or even walk him in the immediate area so we were dropping him at my parents house every day. It was awful.

We were lucky that we were able to move and haven't had any similar problems since (*touch wood*) but if the problem reoccurred again I would seriously consider rehoming my dog rather than him ending up with them.

In fact it was such a stressful experience at the time that it is pretty unlikely we will ever get another lurcher once our current one passes away

DBB

Jesus wept Dre... I can't begin to imagine how bloody utterly terrifying that was. Jesus. Worst nightmare
I hope your neighbour is ok, though I don't really know how anyone could fully recover from something like this.
Best wishes to you all

those certain Irish people where caught by the garda outside my house today. They searched the car but let them away.They where going door to door again. Normally a number of breakins follow. I am delighted that they actually turned up and approached them.

OldNotWIse

Deleted User wrote: »

I woke up to about 10 texts from neighbors. 6 This morning my neighbor woke up with a knife to her throat by a man holding her little dog. He then put the knife to the dogs throat and threatens to kill him and he if she didnt get the keys to the car

Jesus if anyone did that to my dog I'd offer them me! :eek: Horrendous

DforDisaster

:-( I can't imagine how stressful they must be for you. I really hope it gets resolved soon

RobertKK

I had three of my four dogs stolen last December here in rural Kilkenny, I was so depressed and it still does to think of it.

Then I got told they might have been stolen to bait fighting dogs, read a story how dogs stolen for bait are muzzled, paws taped and they are put in an enclosure for the fighting dog to attack. It sicken me to think this might have happened to my collies, they were such lovely dogs.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/dogs-being-stolen-streets-transported-1798032

tk123

That's terrible!

Father Ted Crilly

Sick individuals. Absolutely sick.

The Guards need to come up with ways of catching these horrible people.

OldNotWIse

Father Ted Crilly wrote: »

Sick individuals. Absolutely sick.

The Guards need to come up with ways of catching these horrible people.

Why? At most they'll get a slap on the wrist from our joke of a legal system. Why would a Garda be bothered catching and prosecuting these people when they know it would be a waste of time?

Tranceypoo

OldNotWIse wrote: »

Why? At most they'll get a slap on the wrist from our joke of a legal system. Why would a Garda be bothered catching and prosecuting these people when they know it would be a waste of time?

Exactly! I believe the animal welfare laws were 'updated' last year but even the old ones weren't reinforced so what was the point, heaven forbid this ever happened to me I think I'd hire one of those pet detectives, there's a reason that there's a market for them, it's cos the law doesn't give a flying fig.

OldNotWIse

Tranceypoo wrote: »

Exactly! I believe the animal welfare laws were 'updated' last year but even the old ones weren't reinforced so what was the point, heaven forbid this ever happened to me I think I'd hire one of those pet detectives, there's a reason that there's a market for them, it's cos the law doesn't give a flying fig.

Yup definitely one of those situations where I would [do something that the charter prevents me from posting]

And actually here's a thought, although my family think I've gone bats. We got a leaflet advertising a GPS tracker that can be worn on a collar or put in someones's pocket. They are being marketed towards relatives of people with Alzheimers, the idea being that if they wander off, you can go online and it will give five coordinates to help you locate them. You can also pre-set perimetres so that if they go beyond them, you get a notification. Apparently this technology is used in some high end vehicles and I suggested it might be a good idea for pets too. It's all well and good having them chipped, but that only really comes into play if someone finds them and has the decency to take them to a vet/shelter and someone else has the cop on to scan them and then call you. There are an awful lot of what ifs there. And a chip wont matter a damn if your pet is robbed. I am seriously thinking about getting one of these for our dog, and having it incorporated into her collar or something so that it's not obvious. Of course, they could just dump the collar

the_syco

peavey555 wrote: »

Recently when walking my dog I got asked some strange questions from guys sitting in a car. Do you have paper on her ? Where do you live ?

Write down the reg, a description (hair/eye colour, facial hair) of the people in the car, and their accents, and give it to the Gardai. The Gardai can only act on what they know.

OldNotWIse wrote: »

Yup definitely one of those situations where I would [do something that the charter prevents me from posting]

Likewise. Would be in favour of treating said people like the Viet Cong :pac:

OldNotWIse wrote: »

Of course, they could just dump the collar

The collar would probably be dumped fairly close to where they were operating from. From a quick Google, it seems some of the collars even alow you to track your dogs heart-rate, to see when he's most active during the day

The Gardai generally don't do anything, as the type of people who are stereotypically doing this are generally the sort of people that Gardai need armed Gardai with them when carrying out a dawn raid.

Ashbx

God some of these stories are just awful! Can I ask what dogs are they going for?

I don't even tell the usual enthusiastic dog owners details about my dog.....not even my dogs names!!!

Ashbx

OldNotWIse wrote: »

Yup definitely one of those situations where I would [do something that the charter prevents me from posting]

And actually here's a thought, although my family think I've gone bats. We got a leaflet advertising a GPS tracker that can be worn on a collar or put in someones's pocket. They are being marketed towards relatives of people with Alzheimers, the idea being that if they wander off, you can go online and it will give five coordinates to help you locate them. You can also pre-set perimetres so that if they go beyond them, you get a notification. Apparently this technology is used in some high end vehicles and I suggested it might be a good idea for pets too. It's all well and good having them chipped, but that only really comes into play if someone finds them and has the decency to take them to a vet/shelter and someone else has the cop on to scan them and then call you. There are an awful lot of what ifs there. And a chip wont matter a damn if your pet is robbed. I am seriously thinking about getting one of these for our dog, and having it incorporated into her collar or something so that it's not obvious. Of course, they could just dump the collar

They should put a GPS system into the dogs microchip....then there is no way of removing it!

OldNotWIse

Ashbx wrote: »

They should put a GPS system into the dogs microchip....then there is no way of removing it!

Exactly! Be a good idea for kids too I think!

Father Ted Crilly

Ashbx wrote: »

I don't even tell the usual enthusiastic dog owners details about my dog.....not even my dogs names!!!

I don't think they would steal a dog because of its name.

Ashbx

Father Ted Crilly wrote: »

I don't think they would steal a dog because of its name.

No, but it means they could call the dog if they wanted to! And its very easy to throw a dog into your car when they come to you when called.

OldNotWIse

Ashbx wrote: »

No, but it means they could call the dog if they wanted to! And its very easy to throw a dog into your car when they come to you when called.

Never thought of this. Thankfully my brat doesn't come when she's called

hardCopy

Ashbx wrote: »

They should put a GPS system into the dogs microchip....then there is no way of removing it!

I'm pretty sure a GPS module would be huge compared to an RFID chip. It would also need power a lot of power.

frenchmartini

Isn't there a company in Celbridge doing this GPS thingy? Snooty paws, something like that? Woofys kennels told me about it. If I can find it, I'm getting my dog done.

This thread is absolutely heartbreaking.

tk123

frenchmartini wrote: »

Isn't there a company in Celbridge doing this GPS thingy? Snooty paws, something like that? Woofys kennels told me about it. If I can find it, I'm getting my dog done.

This thread is absolutely heartbreaking.

Think this is the one you mean? http://www.snoopypetfinder.ie

Alun

Ashbx wrote: »

They should put a GPS system into the dogs microchip....then there is no way of removing it!

Impossible I'm afraid.

Cen taurus

Were these lads chinese by anychance ?

was just reading this ......

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/160-dogs-stolen-a-week-as-christmas-draws-near-301255.html

Its talking about the Christmas rush and dogs being stolen.

Then i looked at adverts.ie and searched Stolen .....

http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/pets/624/q_stolen/

All dogs stolen in December.


The fact they are getting over to the UK so easily needs to stop. Pet Passports etc.. this needs to be enforced. It seems no checks are being done on the ferry crossing.

shakencat

oh my lord, i read this thread and got so scared.

as soon as i let my dog Raven off the lead in st annes she's gone..
in the bushes, chasing squirrels, leaves, birds..

i allow bout 2 mins then call her and she comes darting out then goes off again...
my other half thinks i panic too quick when i can't see her running through the trees.

I would be absolutely heart broken if she was taken..

like i don't know what i would do , and then the thoughts that would go through your mind too.


really heart breaking

DBB

Hmmm...
I think the stories doing the rounds about dog thieves lurking in the bushes in St. Anne's, and marks being put on walls of houses are entering into the realms of urban myth.
It's no harm to remain vigilant of course, but I would not quite go into panic mode either. Social media is such a great thing... But my dog, it facilitates the spreading of bull like wildfire too!

shakencat

my other half wants a second dog that could handle itself.. And protect us.

with each story i hear I'm a step closer to allowing him!!

Qualitymark

Deleted User wrote: »

I wouldnt worry too much about that, alot of the time they dont want to be seen. I have the same worry in my house and my dogs. My house has been attempted 6 times and i have managed to catch them every time. But i feel my luck is running out.I am half considering re-homing my dogs to safer homes due fear i have of them falling into the wrong hands. Gardai will not lift a finger. 2 neighbors where done last night

The perils of living close to a certain Irish demographic.

Stick a couple of cameras up outside the house, front and back, maybe?

Incidentally, I found a chalk mark on the gatepost of a blind elderly neighbour, which corresponded with one of the "Da Pinchi Code" marks used by thieves, a mark that means "living alone and trusting". I washed it off and told his fiercely protective next-door neighbour. Marks didn't reappear.

shakencat

Vel wrote: »

I get this and completely understand where you are coming from. A good few years ago that certain demographic got wind of where we lived with our lurcher :eek: You can imagine how interested they were. We tired to get the Guards involved but they weren't interested and advised us to rehome the dog :mad: We were terrified to leave him on his own when we went to work, or even walk him in the immediate area so we were dropping him at my parents house every day. It was awful.

We were lucky that we were able to move and haven't had any similar problems since (*touch wood*) but if the problem reoccurred again I would seriously consider rehoming my dog rather than him ending up with them.

In fact it was such a stressful experience at the time that it is pretty unlikely we will ever get another lurcher once our current one passes away

I don't mean to sound stupid,

but why would the be interested in a lurcher?

like, for speed?

Raminahobbin

shakencat wrote: »

I don't mean to sound stupid,

but why would the be interested in a lurcher?

like, for speed?

They like to take the lurchers lamping and coursing, for the lolz

shakencat

oh

Qualitymark

One lurcher, Rosie, was found in a shocking state and lovingly returned to health by the staff at <snip>. Then she was stolen from their kennels.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/lurcher-snatched-from-louth-kennel-30977371.html

A Twitter, Facebook and media campaign across Ireland and into Britain resulted in someone telling them where to find her, and when they called to the door of the house where she was, she was put over the wall and raced to the <snip> people.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/celeb-pup-rosie-too-hot-to-handle-for-dognappers-31049283.html

Here's the moment when she was reunited with her loving minders:

https://www.facebook.com/GalwaySPCA/posts/10153160276981255

DBB

DBB wrote: »

Hmmm...
I think the stories doing the rounds about dog thieves lurking in the bushes in St. Anne's, and marks being put on walls of houses are entering into the realms of urban myth.

The St Annes story we got straight from the Gardai in the area. As well as another person who walks the dogs there. Regards the marks on the wall. Unfortunately i fell victim to that and was in the paper regards to it. I would have said it was an urban myth too only that i had suffered 5 break in attempts at that stage read about the markings and clear as day, they where on my wall beside the front door.

DBB

Fair enough Dre, I don't doubt you, though I've had a number of PMs and reported posts from people in the area complaining about it generally being blown out of proportion.
If any of those who made this argument to me would like to supply any links, please feel free

Qualitymark

DBB wrote: »

Fair enough Dre, I don't doubt you, though I've had a number of PMs and reported posts from people in the area complaining about it generally being blown out of proportion.
If any of those who made this argument to me would like to supply any links, please feel free

On a quick google:

http://dublinpeople.com/article.php?id=748
Pet owners warned following thefts
NORTHSIDE pet owners are being urged to beware of brazen opportunists who are literally stealing dogs in front of their owners.
Northside People understands that a number of dogs of various breeds and ages have been stolen in the Donaghmede, Donnycarney and Coolock areas in recent weeks.

DBB

Thanks qualitymark,
I don't have time today to start googling... that article is over 3 years old. Is there anything more up-to-date?
It would be interesting to see if anyone has come up with a pattern to this... as the vet nurse in that article also felt that there was no particular pattern about the 4 dogs that were stolen, but maybe a more solid pattern has emerged since the article was written?
I know one of the guards in Raheny, they weren't aware of any particular organised dog theft ring going on in the area, but that's just one guard. Maybe someone out there knows more!

Qualitymark

DBB wrote: »

Thanks qualitymark,
I don't have time today to start googling... that article is over 3 years old. Is there anything more up-to-date?
It would be interesting to see if anyone has come up with a pattern to this... as the vet nurse in that article also felt that there was no particular pattern about the 4 dogs that were stolen, but maybe a more solid pattern has emerged since the article was written?
I know one of the guards in Raheny, they weren't aware of any particular organised dog theft ring going on in the area, but that's just one guard. Maybe someone out there knows more!

Didn't realise the article was old. The talk about dogs being stolen seems to be béaloideas; I've certainly heard it here in the deep south, where people are warning each other not to leave their dogs outside the shops in Kimmage and Rathmines, and when a dog was seen waiting anxiously for his master outside one shop the other day there were three groups of people standing chatting nonchalantly until his owner came out and claimed him, when the conversations all ended and the people drifted away, anxiety settled.

Oh, and the chalk mark I wrote about - that was around a month ago; another neighbour's house was burgled during the last month, and her neighbour two doors up saw a lad drop into his back garden and went out and told him to go back out, that he was calling the guards. "Call them," the lad said (in an ordinary Dublin accent) and hopped back up on the shed and over. The neighbour went out and through to the front, where the lad's friend was waiting at the front gate, and when burglar A came whizzing by, burglar B raced away in his wake.

Hard to say if the dognapping stories are true, but dogs do seem to be being reported on lost animal websites as having disappeared from gardens.