Dog recovering after being drugged by criminals

(Above) File pic.

Local pet owners have been urged to be vigilant following reports that criminals looking to steal dogs have been doing the rounds in Westmeath in recent days.

According to reports, a dog in the Kinnegad area is recovering after ingesting a piece of meat that had spiked with some form of drug. It is believed that that tainted meat was given to him by the occupants of a small white van with a Northern Irish number plate.

The house of the animal's owner was reportedly marked with a piece of chalk by someone working with the would be thieves to alert them that there was a dog living there.

Dog thieves have also been targeting homes in the Athlone area in recent days, prompting local councillor Frankie Keena to issue a warning to pet owners.

“Over the last week criminals have targeted properties in the Moydrum / Baylin areas by leaving a mark of white paint on the outer road boundary walls and fences to signify that there is a dog on the property. This is a way of informing a follow up crew as to where the dogs are,” he said.

“While the Gardai have been notified by residents about this, it is very important that everyone keeps an eye out for any suspicious cars in their area and record their number plates. All information no matter how small should be passed on to the Gardai,” urged Cllr Keena.

There has been a spate of dog thefts around the country in recent month due to an increase in demand for pets during the Covid-19 crisis.