Dognapping
Robert Kenny – Pet Detective
Tina Broader – Owner of Tipp and Bullet
Tina Broaders is the owner of dogs that went missing – Tipp and Bullet. They found Tipp but Bullet is still missing.
Background
On Wednesday 1st February, two dogs were stolen from their kennels which was over a 6ft wall, in broad daylight, from the back of Gar Doyle’s house in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Tipp, a 7 year old wire fox terrier and Bullet, a 14 month old Welsh terrier were not only the beloved pets belonging to Tina and Gar Broaders and their 11 year old daughter Catherine. They were also two very successful show dogs. Bullet was a junior champion in the breed, but he was also one major win away from gaining his championship title. Tipp had already attained his champion title. But it didn’t stop there for him; he was also partner to 11 year old Catherine in the junior handling classes at the dog shows.
Catherine and Tipp held the top points in The Junior Handlers Association for the 10-12, 13-14 and 15-17 age group. She competed with 17 year olds who’d at least 7 years extra experience. Catherine was devastated when Tipp went missing, it can take up from 6-9 months to form a bond with a new dog.
The family were devastated. They turned to their local community, the dog showing community, the Guards, a pet detective and even a diviner to help find the dogs. Luckily, on 14th February, Tipp was spotted 350 yards from where he was taken. She brought him to the vet and they were able to identify it as Tipp because of his microchip. They brought him home and gave him his favourite treat – a mug of tea!
They are obviously delighted to have Tipp home but Bullet is still missing and are reissuing new posters in the hope they can find him.
What are the statistics of dog-napping?
There are approximately 200 dogs per week stolen in this country. The area’s most at risk are Co. Dublin, Co. Wicklow, Co. Wexford, Co. Cork, Co. Limerick and Co. Tipperary.
Why is this happening?
The dogs are stolen for financial gain, to be sold on the internet and also for breeding puppies.
Is it just pedigree dogs that are stolen or any animal?
Predominantly pedigree dogs have the greatest value and easiest sale but nowadays dogs are regularly stolen at random and dumped if found later that week to be of no value for the sale or if they have been neutered essentially rendering them no good for breeding.
What can our viewers at home do to prevent this from happening?
To prevent theft of your pet please do not make it easy for the thief to apprehend it. Don’t go to work and leave your dog outside in the back garden as walls as high as 12 feet have been scaled to take dogs. Never leave your dog in a car and go to the shop as many dogs are stolen from vehicles. Do not leave your pet tied up outside a shop – the pet might not be there when you return. Always get your pet micro-chipped. If it’s not and it’s a stolen case and dumped 50 miles away, the dog pound will only hold your dog for up to five days. Identification helps solve crimes.
In the event of this happening to a viewer at home, what are the first steps that they should do?
I would ask all viewers who are the victim of a stolen case to contact as many animal organizations and dog pounds as possible within one hundred mile area and of course contact sites on the internet such as irishanimals.ie. Happy Tails Detective are always here to help. Some pet insurance companies cover your costs if you hold pet insurance. Never approach the culprit who you think has the dog without contacting either a pet detective or a member of the Gardaí. The Gardaí will generally only get involved if a pet detective has a high percentage of proof.
Advice from DSPCA
Microchipping will not prevent your pet being stolen, it is not a GPS system, however, it does provide traceability, responsibility and accountability but only if the animal is presented at a vet, a shelter or a pound and can be scanned.
Vigilance will go a long way toward protecting your pet. It is up to the owner to be responsible and protect their pet.
- Never allow your pet out without its owner/responsible adult; i.e. someone over the age of 16 years. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to be in charge of a dog. It only takes a minute for a thief to steal a beloved family pet.
- Always keep your dog under effective control, i.e. on a secure collar and lead.
- Train your dog to have a good recall and in the event of an emergency use an emergency recall in order your dog knows you mean business and you need for him to return to you NOW!
- Microchip today!
- If your pet is out in the back garden, make sure the area is secured and not easily accessible via a wall, gate, railing, bushes, etc.,
- Alarm your home
- Don’t leave your dog in the car.
- Don’t leave your dog tethered to a pole/post/pillar while you go into the shops.
- Take photographs of your dog on a regular basis so that in the event he/she is stolen you have them on hand to use in posters.
- Breeders should be cautious of home visits be prospective purchasers – my tip is to take down car registration and any other details if you’re suspicious.
- Don’t openly boast about your valuable dogs or say where they are kept – i.e. some people do this on social networking sites.
- Spay/neuter your dog – they are less valuable to a thief as they cannot breed from them.
