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The domestic dog theft rate across the country has risen this year compared to 2019.
That’s according to new figures provided by Justice Minister Helen McEntee.
The figures show that until the end of August 26 there were 172 dog thefts and at that rate the total for the year would be around 258.
This compares with 205 thefts of domestic dogs in the past year.
Minister McEntee stated that Gardai recently completed several successful dog seizures where the dogs were suspected of being stolen.
It claimed that the Gardaí seized 32 dogs near Swords in August that are believed to have been stolen for an estimated value of more than 120,000 euros and there was an arrest related to the seizure of ten allegedly stolen dogs in Limerick County on August 1.
The 32 dogs seized near Swords included Chihuahuas, pugs, a Jack Russell and dachshunds.
Huge anguish
In a written response from Dail PQ on the matter, Minister McEntee stated that she “is well aware of the enormous anguish that the crime of dog theft can cause and the strong emotional ties that owners have with their pets.”
In his Dail PQ, Rep. Christopher O’Sullivan (FF) asked Minister McEntee if she was considering amending legislation to toughen penalties for dog theft.
In her response, Minister McEntee stated that comprehensive legislation already exists to address such crimes of theft and fraud, as well as crimes related to animal welfare.
Minister McEntee stated that these include the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2013; the Animal Protection (Amendment) Act 1965 and the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Crimes) Act 2001.
Regarding the prevention of further dog thefts, Minister McEntee stated that information has recently been released to the Network of Crime Prevention Officers across the country that specifically addresses the issue of dog thefts.
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