A spate of dog thefts in the North West is linked to illegal dog fighting, it has been claimed.
Tommy McCafferty with his Saoise his prize Akita which was returned to his home after being taken. (NewspixIrl)
Over recent months, dognappers have been responsible for the theft of all breeds of pet dogs.
On Thursday last, a Springer Spaniel and a Lurcher were taken in Srabane.
Suspicions were raised that stolen animals when one dog retrieved by its owner was discovered to have been drugged.
The rare American Akita dog was taken from the garden of champion kick-boxer Tommy McCafferty’s home in Burt.
Tommy, known as “The Ghost” and a two times world professional and Commonwealth champion, revealed the dog was returned to his home the following day after the Gardai had been contacted and an appeal launched on Facebook.
Tommy revealed the dog’s pet care collar had been taken off and there were signs she had been drugged.
He said: “She was very groggy and still won’t go outside because she is so frightened after what she went through.
“I’m one of the lucky ones. Thousands of people every year have their dogs lifted and never see them again.”
Ryan McCauley of Donegal Pet Recue, who helped Tommy search for his dog, said there had been a spike in dog thefts in recent weeks and dogs of all breeds were being used as bait for dog fighting.
“It started in November and there has now been a huge spike.
“The problem is that all types of breeds are being taken and we fear that dogs are being used for dog baiting.
“We are close to the border and they can easily be shipped into Northern Ireland and overseas.”
“We would appeal to people take extra care of heir dogs and to microchip them,” he said.
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