Trained hunting dogs stolen in Cork may be resold in Britain

GARDAÍ are investigating a spate of thefts of trained hunting dogs in the Cork area and it is widely believed that the animals are being sold on in Britain.

The country’s oldest beagle hunting club has had to relocate its kennels after it was broken into. Riverstown Foot Beagles club, which is 125 years old and based in Glanmire, was targeted by thieves who cut through the kennel’s fencing and stole three breeding bitches and six dogs.

The club’s assistant huntsman Richard Daly said one of the bitches was discovered the following day wandering in a farmer’s yard in Watergrasshill.

“The farmer rang us as he thought we’d probably lost the dog while out on a hunt. We think that the bitch must have got away as the thieves tried to switch the dogs into a different van,” Mr Daly said.

Almost three years ago to the day the same hunt club had four bitches and two dogs stolen.

“We have been forced to put them in a more secure location. These are trained dogs, so they are valuable. We believe they have been shipped to England and resold there. If the hounds were still in Ireland we’d probably know because hunting clubs are very closeknit and keep in touch with each other,” Mr Daly said.

Club members believe that a green Hiace van, fitted with false registration plates, which was seen in the area just before the thefts, may have been used to take the stolen dogs away.

Meanwhile, gardaí on the northside of Cork city are also investigating the theft of 25 hunting terriers in recent weeks.

Superintendent Con Cadogan said that dogs and bitches had been stolen from three lock-ups in Gurranabraher, Knocknaheeny and Churchfield.

He has advised owners to microchip their dogs, which will make it easier to find them if they go missing or are stolen.

“We believe that some of these stolen dogs could appear for resale on the internet, so people should keep an eye on that. The thieves might also sell them as pets for Christmas, so we’re advising people to only purchase from a reputable source,” Supt Cadogan said.