An animal rights campaigner has appealed to Gardai to be more vigilant around pet theft in local communities.
Lisa O'Connor set up Missing Stolen Animals Ireland in response to the worrying trend of animal thefts over lockdown. The group quickly gained traction on Facebook and has 11,000 members to date.
Although pet theft has lessened since the end of the pandemic, Lisa explained that more measures need to be in place to protect animals from being ripped from their homes. The group has been invited to the Dail next month to air their concerns on animal welfare, alongside the charity My Lovely Horse Rescue.
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Lisa said: "An area we're all on agreement on is to get a dedicated animal welfare unit in every Garda station. All stations should have access to a microchip scanner in order to get a dog flagged as missing or stolen."
Many members have experienced pet theft first hand and turned to the group for support following their loss. The group advocates for legislative reform but also raises awareness about the prevalence of the crime in Ireland.
Lisa stressed the importance of microchipping when tracking down a missing pet. Social media can be an important tool to help reunite pets with their families, particularly as abducted pets are often shipped off to the UK.
Lisa added: "You should report to Gardai and make sure you mention the postcode a pet went missing in. I would also recommend to owners that they contact Irish ports and supply them with a photo of their missing pet."
The group has seen some animals reunite with their owners since it began in 2020. Lisa is friends with the owners of Baya the Bulldog, who was found by the DSPCA two years after she disappeared from her home in Galway.
She said these success stories make the group's work worthwhile. However, there are countless owners in the group who remain in the dark about the whereabouts of their animals.
Lisa supports Aontu's Puppy Farm Bill, which passed its second stage in the Dail this winter. The bill advocates for improved animal welfare in Ireland.
The meeting will take place on May 3 and will comprise of eight animal advocates. Missing Stolen Animals Ireland is also inviting all pet lovers to gather outside the Dail directly after their meeting, for a peaceful demonstration.
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