'It’s frightening what people will do to get dogs' warns Cork owner reunited with beloved Ruby

'It’s been a big problem since lockdown. People are charging over €1,000 for any kind of nice dog now'

Lisa, Bernard, and Liz Ahern with their springer spaniel Ruby who was stolen from their home in Midleton, Co Cork, last June. Picture: Dan Linehan

A much-loved dog was reunited with her owners six months after she was stolen from their home in Cork and smuggled to England.

Ruby the springer spaniel was stolen on June 11 from the Midleton area before enduring known and unknown traumas. Her microchip was ruthlessly cut out, possibly with a Stanley blade, and she gave birth to a litter of pups, all of which were quickly sold.