Warning as dog nappers on the prowl

Heartbreaking appeal by family for safe return of 'Jessie' - beloved pet

At least five dogs have been reported missing, believed stolen, from the Ballinagh area so far this month, with the apparent targets Jack Russells and Spaniel type breeds, writes Thomas Lyons.

Jessie is one of them and her heartbroken owners are offering a reward for information leading to her safe return.

In the photograph Jessie sits on a blanket, the picture of contentment. The ad on page three of the Celt states: 'Missing Jack Russell called Jessie 3 years of age. Went missing from Garrymore, Ballinagh. Substantial reward offered for the return of Jessie.'

Anyone who loves their dog would make such an effort, but the search for Jessie is all the more heartbreaking because of the circumstances: “It's all the family's dog, but it's our Dad's lifeline,” Emily Griffith says of the missing pooch.

“Daddy bought her down the country about three years ago when Jessie was only a puppy. She's basically part of the family. Everyone has been crying over her, the dog was everybody's friend,” she said.

Emily's father is battling cancer: “We are afraid that Daddy will pine away because of the loss of Jessie,” an emotional Emily told the Celt.

“When dad went into hospital Jessie just stayed behind the ambulance and whimpered. She didn't eat for two weeks. Then, when Daddy came home, the dog shunned him for two days. Then Jessie came around and he never left his side. Daddy couldn't even go to the toilet without Jessie following him,” Emily recalled.

Jessie is an unneutered bitch. Finding her will be difficult because she was not microchipped. On the evening she was taken Jessie was let out at about 6.15pm and was gone at seven o'clock: “There was a white van in the area for a couple of days before. There were three men in it and they called at a neighbouring house saying they were looking for dogs. Jessie would never leave the home, she would just go as far as the end of the driveway. We know Jessie was stolen, she would not go anywhere.”

The family have gone to great lengths to recover their doggie, but all efforts have been unsuccessful so far: “I've done everything, from the Celt ad to Facebook, we have gone to the Guards and I have driven around just looking for Jessie.”

Emily's Facebook efforts show her this is a common issue. This view is shared by animal welfare volunteers locally.

As a volunteer with Cavan SPCA Laura Reilly sees first hand the increase in this type of crime: “Since June 2, I have received five reports of stolen dogs from the Ballinagh/Cornafean area. One of those people who contacted me said a van drove in to his yard asking had he any dogs. It was discovered a short while later that his neighbours dog had vanished (Jack Russell). The particulars of the van, that is the colour, make and registration were passed on to the relevant authorities.”

Laura explained to the Celt how this is a trend across the country: “All dogs are at risk of being stolen but recently Jack Russells, Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels seem to be the target. They will walk on to someone's property to take a dog.”

Microchipping

The message from the animal welfare charity is clear: “We at Cavan SPCA are urging people to please make sure their pets are safe and secure at all times. We would also like to emphasis the importance of microchipping. Not only is it the law but it will help reuniting dogs with their owners. If a dog is stolen and turns up at a rescue down the line or sold on, if it's not microchip it's hard to match dogs with owners. Microchipping is key to reuniting owner and dog.”

There are four authorised registered database in Ireland; Fido, Animark, ICK and ICC. Pet owners should notify the microchip database to have there pet flagged as a “missing dog. If people see any vehicles acting suspiciously in their area take a description of the vehicle and report to your local Garda station immediately.