Thieves taking dogs from streets for ransom

DOGS are being snatched from families and ransoms of hundreds of euro then demanded for their safe return.

A number of dogs in Tralee, Co Kerry have been abducted in the past week. Their owners have been contacted by phone and asked for money for their return.

Gardaí are investigating if there is a more sinister element to the scam and if any of the pets will be harmed if no money is handed over.

“We don’t know what exactly they intend to do if that happens. We hope to have more information on the matter next week.

“This is very nasty and we think it’s been done by young kids because it’s not something that will bring in a lot of money,” Sergeant Pat Mulcahy said.

The gang is targeting pedigree dogs who have tags with their name and telephone numbers. They then contact the family, claiming they found the dog wandering around and ask for money as a reward.

One woman, who let her dog out for his morning run was a victim of the scam this week.

She later received a phone call to say her pet was found and a ‘reward’ of 100 was demanded. In another case the caller looked for 200 for the dog’s safe return.

The pet owners don’t want to be identified because they are fearful their dogs might be snatched again. Former ISPCA president, Marion Fitzgibbon last night described the dog theftskidnappings as extraordinary.

“I’ve have worked in animal welfare for the last 20 years and I’ve never come up against anything like this. Usually it’s just very difficult to find a home for a dog,” she said.

Ms Fitzgibbon said she hoped the Tralee abductions will not encourage similar scams nationwide.

“I hope this doesn’t catch on everywhere and that it is stopped immediately,” she said.