Gardaí appeal to find owner of stolen “nervous” dog, reunite second dog with owner

Two dogs were recovered this week.

Gardaí are appealing to find the owner of a "nervous" dog they believe to be stolen. Two male springer spaniels were recovered this week from suspicious circumstances in a car park on Old Dublin Road, Limerick. Neither of the men holding the dogs were able to provide Gardaí with adequate information about the animals. They also told Gardaí the dogs were microchipped when they were not. Both dogs were noted as "nervous" and "cowering in their cage" and were taken to Castleconnell Garda Station. One dog, Jake, was later reunited with his owner. Jake's owner, Gerard said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to get Jake back. I had lost hope cause he was gone for so long. "I tried everything to get him back – I tried social media and put up posters locally. I am extremely grateful to Garda Shane Hayes and Limerick Animal Welfare for looking after Jake and getting him home safely.” Gardaí are still appealing to reunite the second dog with his owner. They are asking anyone with information to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061-212400. Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Ber Leetch has advised pet owners to take extra precautions due to the recent increased levels of animal theft. "As we are hearing a lot about dog theft, it can make dog owners feel unsafe and worried about their beloved pets," he said. "For your dog’s security, I would recommend they are microchipped so that they can be easily identified if found and returned to the owner. Also place contact details on their collar in the event that they escape. Ensure that your home and garden are secure to prevent theft and deter potential culprits. "If you have a high value breed of animal you may wish to consider CCTV and other crime prevention measures. If you are buying a dog, or returning a dog to its suspected owners, make sure the person is bona fide." Gardaí expect to progress the investigation soon.