Man Who Had Dogs Nicked Tracks Down 70 Stolen Pooches

A man who had his dogs stolen has tracked down 70 stolen pooches - including one of his own.

Breeder Tony Cronin embarked on a detective mission after two litters of puppies and five of his spaniels vanished.

He eventually received a tip-off about a dog-napping racket in Carmarthenshire, West Wales, and when he arrived at the site he discovered the huge group of hounds.

Wales News Service

Tony said: "It was very well hidden, which is why they use it, and as we were going up the track a huge group of dogs came out to greet us.

"There were Westies, Labradors, Pugs - everything running at us barking like mad.

"Right in the middle of the group was one of my own dogs running towards me, her tail was between her legs as she was frightened.

"She was quite timid and then she saw me and she ran towards me and leaped into my arms and that was that."

Wales News Service

Dyfed Powys Police said 22 of the dogs have since been returned to their owners and 46 remain in kennels.

Two people arrested in connection with the dog thefts have been released on bail.

Superintendent Robyn Mason said an increase in demand for dogs during lockdown had resulted in a spike in dog thefts.

He said: "Dog theft has certainly increased with more people wanting dogs during the pandemic.

"The cost of dogs is going up which means there's more traction for people to steal the dogs and sell them so it has definitely increased over the last year."

Wales News Service

The RSPCA has also warned pet owners against fraudsters posing as animal welfare officers.

A spokesman for the charity said: "We would like to remind and reassure the public that our inspectors and rescue officers all wear branded uniforms and carry identification.

"If one of our officers knocks on your door, please ask to see their ID and check their uniform for branding. Our staff wear navy blue uniforms with the RSPCA logo, as well as white shirts with a black or blue tie and black epaulets."

The raid featured on Welsh channel S4C's current affairs programme Y Byd ar Bedwar (The World at Four) earlier today (17 February).

Topics: Dog, UK News, Awesome, crime, Animals

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey