Dogs being stolen

anewme wrote: »

Drones flying over houses with dogs/kennels down Naas way this morning. It's been well publicised online which is the best way of shutting these people down and was straight through the text alert network.

Is it illegal to shoot down a drone over your land?

4 dogs stolen from a house outside ballymote last week.
The place is a mile down essentially a dirt track that's a dead end. That's not someone just being opportunistic

Binka wrote: »

I read on Mid West today that Mayo CoCo are currently training up a team to fly drones for the purpose of catching illegal dumping and fires.

So lads, be careful shooting down drones. They aren't all dognapping.

yeah but they aren't flying over peoples houses!

I was out walking my fella yesterday and there was 2 little Yorkies out on the green by themselves, collars on and freshly groomed so obviously someone's pets.
I can't believe anyone would allow their dogs out alone like that considering how many dogs are going missing.

I honestly don't see why we can't make exchanging dogs and cats for money illegal outright. Designer pets and purebred pride are just completely baffling to me - we have two dogs and they both came to us at about 2 years old from different rescues, both mongrelly terriers and I can't fathom the people who pretend to be animal lovers buying puppies off Donedeal when the rescues are full.

I think this thread would be more helpful if there was some suggestions/tips on how to keep your dog from being stolen? `

For example my dog always has a tag on - be it on a collar or his harness and that includes in the house. I know loads of people who take collars off indoors. I have cameras front and back and he's not left out without supervision. We have a tiny garden anyways and he prefers to be indoors with us. I don't think he'd actually go with anyone as he's clingy enough - more so as I've been working from home for months(!) We've all seen posts on FB about white vans with UK reg - call the local Garda station before sharing on FB etc.

There also needs to be more education rather than the adopt don't shop mantra - people haven't a clue on what to look out for when buying a dog and this includes from rescues. (Not all rescues are reputable either!) And going further a collaboration between Ireland and the UK where a lot of these dogs end up.

Also people are talking about so many dogs being available in the past that a lot had to be PTS as they were unwanted. People were encouraged to neuter their dogs /(and cats) to prevent this.

So (by and large) the good people who are responsible pet owners did this...because its the right thing to do.

BUT the irresponsible owners and puppy farmers didn't neuter their animals. So is it any wonder that the only real source now for people are from puppy farmers and poor owners?

Has doing the right thing has led to lower standards for puppies?

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

No it certainly hasn’t led to lower standards. When you purchase a dog from a reputable breeder you specify that you want a pet. Pet quality dogs are not suitable to breed from for a variety of reasons depending on the dog. Dogs that are suitable quality to breed from are generally kept by the breeder or sent on to other breeders and show/working homes. People that breed from pet quality dogs at home with little knowledge of health testing or what to look for when matching dogs are known as back-yard breeders. They don’t care, in my opinion there is no such thing as an accidental mating. The dogs back-yard breeders produce are no better quality than puppy farm dogs and indeed many are descended from puppy farm dogs.

With all due respect, most people do not buy from a breeder.

In the past more people got a puppy from somebody whose own pet had puppies....so had a much better life living in somebodys home as a pet than those poor dogs in puppy farms. I'd much rather get a dog from one of these homes than a puppy farm. And most of these would be mongrels, so less inbred and more likely to be of better health.

Some dogs are wanderers and escapologists...especially when they get a breeding urge. And (maybe not so much now) back in the day dogs were able to come and go a lot more in their homes than they are now. So plenty of chance of accidental mating (more like unwanted)

daheff wrote: »

With all due respect, most people do not buy from a breeder.

In the past more people got a puppy from somebody whose own pet had puppies....so had a much better life living in somebodys home as a pet than those poor dogs in puppy farms. I'd much rather get a dog from one of these homes than a puppy farm. And most of these would be mongrels, so less inbred and more likely to be of better health.

You seem to be confused as to what a breeder is though. Puppy farmers can operate out of a house. They can bring dogs to a house setting to throw people off... unless you don’t ever spend time with your dog you’re going to notice it’s pregnant.. if you choose to let the dog continue with the pregnancy and have the pups you’re a breeder. Whether it’s a repeated ‘accidental litter’ or planned.

Your post highlights the problem in this country.

If the people shouting adopt don’t shop actually spread awareness on what a reputable breeder is versus a puppy farmer or what’s required by law when buying a dog (be it from a breeder or rescue) we wouldn’t have the welfare problem we have. That would involve many of them taking their head out of the sand and opening their mind to accept there are reputable breeders.

As for the cross breeds are healthier myth. Cross breeds are statistically more likely to suffer CCD. Also people stealing dogs aren’t checking their lineage and doing dna tests to make sure they’re purebred dogs either - they’ll take whatever they can grab.

daheff wrote: »

can't say I've heard of abortion on demand for dogs (or cats). More usual for unwanted pups/kittens to have ended up in a sack in the river.

If your dog is accidentally mated you can get an injection that will bring her back into season and end the pregnancy.
I've even seen dogs spayed while pregnant, again ending the pregnancy but this wouldn't be as common.

Darc19 wrote: »

Only a change in the law will lessen the thefts.

And finally one politician is looking at doing something.

Hopefully he brings the legislation and no one opposes it.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/demand-to-make-stealing-a-dog-more-serious-than-property-theft-39384211.html
I would like some sort of additional regulation that selling any type of animal via any form of advertising would require the publication / website to obtain the same level of identity that is required by banks - passport and two official documents with address.

Ah they will of course oppose it. $$$ money talks. Look at greyhound vote and how many supported it. You’d be better off advertising on happy meals to get the message across in this country

anewme wrote: »

2 batches of stolen recovered today.

Two stolen dogs in a horsebox in Offaly( stoorn together shd reunited) , and 5 in the back of a Northern Ireland reg van in Waterford ( one already united).

Despite being caught with stolen dogs, there is no mention of any arrests in either case.

Can I ask where you heard this information? I didn't hear it in the news.

peasant wrote: »

So people that just want a pet get an inferior dog?

Can you really blame them then for looking elsewhere, simply on a value for money rationale?

I'm in no way trying to connect breeders to this whole theft wave that's going on at the moment, nor to backyard breeders, never mind puppy farms ...but ...as long as the so called ethical breeders treat the majority of their customers who just want a pet as

a) a cash cow for their fancy hobby
b) a handy placement for their not quite so successful produce, away from the show ring

they do have some fault in what's going wrong in the whole dog-ownership misery where dogs aren't regarded for the wonderful creatures that they are but for all sort of other selfish and human-centric reasons.

Pet quality dogs are not “inferior”. It is more that 2-5% of pups born are superior. Pet quality dogs make up the remaining 95 -98%. My own dog is pet quality. He’s pet quality because he literally has five white hairs in a place he shouldn’t have white hair. It’s considered a mismark therefore he would not place high in shows and should not pass it on via breeding. There is not a thing wrong with him as a pet and 90% plus of pet owners could not tell the difference. I know the mark is there and I struggle to find it. Once again it’s not that pet quality dogs are inferior, it’s that show/breeding quality dogs have to be outstanding examples of their breed in confirmation as well as health.

Shaggymutt wrote: »

I was just wondering what can we do to prevent theft, I have a beware of the dog sign hanging on the gate, do I take it down and not advertise the dogs. I've also been looking at cctv cameras.
Any other suggestions to deter thieves

Install sensor lights so anyone prowling in your garden at night will be lit up.

fennor72 wrote: »

I've been looking at a cctv camera, with infa red for the night, and motion detection that will send a notification to the owner if there is movement in a preprogrammed area say at a gate, or wall. I know it won't help if we are not there, but some of these cameras have 2 way audio and an alarm

The dogs will be well gone by then.
You need something (aswell) to startle and disencourage the scum.

anewme wrote: »

I don’t know if anyone is following the story of Brandy, the 12 year old Springer stolen from his 85 year old owner?

Breaking news! Brandy been found and is on his way home !

Brilliant news, thanks! Where was he found?

anewme wrote: »

2 batches of stolen dogs recovered today.

Two stolen dogs in a horsebox in Offaly( stoorn together shd reunited) , and 5 in the back of a Northern Ireland reg van in Waterford ( one already united).

Despite being caught with stolen dogs, there is no mention of any arrests in either case.

You see this is trial by Facebook. The van in Waterford is a registered Type 2 transporter. The dogs weren't stolen, they were being moved for whatever reason but with owners' consent. Yes they were stopped by the Gardai but then released and dogs returned to the transporter.

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

Pet quality dogs are not “inferior”. It is more that 2-5% of pups born are superior. Pet quality dogs make up the remaining 95 -98%. My own dog is pet quality. He’s pet quality because he literally has five white hairs in a place he shouldn’t have white hair. It’s considered a mismark therefore he would not place high in shows and should not pass it on via breeding. There is not a thing wrong with him as a pet and 90% plus of pet owners could not tell the difference. I know the mark is there and I struggle to find it. Once again it’s not that pet quality dogs are inferior, it’s that show/breeding quality dogs have to be outstanding examples of their breed in confirmation as well as health.

I'm sorry but this post annoys me so much. Because your dog has a few hairs that mean it doesn't make show standard means it shouldn't be bred, bull****.

Exacting show standards has lead to the destruction of breeds, German Shepherds that can't stand properly, pugs and it other similar breeds that can't breathe properly, king Charles that's skulls are too small for their brain, the list goes on.
Holding up show standards as as what to strive for is so wrong.

Yes dogs should only be bred if healthy but to imply 95% of dogs should not be bred because they don't meet idiotic standards is just wrong.

daheff wrote: »

With all due respect, most people do not buy from a breeder.

And herein lies the crux of the problem.

TheRiverman wrote: »

I can see people through no fault of their own taking the law into their own hands.It wouldn't surprise me to hear that some of those scum have been shot.We haven't heard of one case where an arrest or conviction has been made.

We can't actually state on a public forum what we might do to a person stealing or attempting to steal our companion animal. We just have to be prepared to take all legal measures possible to protect what is currently legally identified as mere 'property'. If we are afraid for our own well-being or that of a human family member, that is a different matter and classed as self-protection of our (human) selves.

The Wexford TD James Browne has proposed a change to the law and should be supported all the way. I'm shocked that no other TDs have come out to bring in animal rights legislation.

Will people stop the rubbish about Cable ties, chalk marking, scratches on concrete.

Its all UTTER BULLSH1T

COMPLETE AND UTTER BULLSH1T

Same as the bullsh1t that went around that people in white vans were putting a cloth to people mouth and making them faint instantly or that shoes ona wire says there are drugs for sale in a house, or that chalk marking means the house is about to get robbed (we get a lot of rain here - chalk marking don;t last long.

Really, people need to cop on and stop believing the utter sh1te on social media.


As for those who find cable ties - some people are using it as a macabre way of having "fun" (not funny) and easily lewd people who probably read and believe every bit of crap in tabloid papers esp the daily mail or daily express get worked up.

Yes, there are more dog thefts, but no they are not using cable ties to point out a house. - If you think of it, it would be an extremely stupid thing to do. But some people simply won't think logically

The recent edinburgh story even got to New Zealand
https://www.aap.com.au/dog-theft-marker-or-myth-what-a-pet-tag-around-a-fence-means/

And the myth has been around for years
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/colored-stickers-target-homes-dog-owners/

Social media and false claims on threads like this spread it - can one person show a VERIFIED GARDA report showing such imbecile unbelievable "markings" were used. - I think not.