GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING a burglary at a dog breeding kennel in Offaly in which eight dogs were stolen and two puppies were drowned.

The incident in Ballingar, near Tullamore, Co Offaly happened on 27 March when a dog breeder’s home was broken into. 

Sources have said that as many as eight dogs were stolen and in a shocking incident two puppies were drowned in a sink. It is not known why the attackers killed the dogs. 

Forensic examinations have been carried out at the scene and gardaí will be examining CCTV footage.

Sources believe that the burglary was a targeted incident and focused on the property due to the dogs. 

A garda spokesperson confirmed the incident and said they are investigating – the garda did not release the breed or description of the stolen dogs. 

“Gardaí are investigating a burglary that occurred in the Ballingar area of Offaly that occurred overnight on 27^th March 2022. No arrests have been made, investigations are ongoing,” he said. 

In 2020 there were reports of a number of dog thefts in which advice was issued to dog owners to prevent thefts. At the time an anecdotal rise in so-called dognapping was not supported by evidence according to gardaí.