Dogs stolen from shed at their home

Gardaí have appealed to dog owners to vigilant after several animals were stolen from a private house in the Ballinalack area on Sunday night last.

At around 8pm, three males entered the property and broke into a shed where the dogs were secured.

The men, who were captured on CCTV, left with four Jack Russell puppies and their mother; a second female Jack Russell, which is pregnant and due to give birth this week; and a red Cocker spaniel dog with a white marking on his chest.

It is understood that the total value of the animals is around €2,200.

If anyone can help gardaí with their enquiries, please contact Mullingar Garda Station on 044 93 84000.

While gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry in this instance due to the availability of CCTV footage, they are mindful that most dog owners will not have this facility and ask that everyone maintain high levels of vigilance to protect their pets.

Incidences of dog theft have increased over the last year due to the recurring Covid-19 lockdowns.