A total of 244 dogs were reported stolen to Gardaí last year - a 16% rise on the year before.
It comes as the ISPCA warns that the prices charged for puppies online have reached 'astronomical' levels in recent months.
In the UK meanwhile, the DogLost charity has recorded a near 60% rise in dog thefts and warned that criminals are stealing the animals to capitalise on the increased demand for puppies.
Tips to stop your dog being stolen. Image: ISPCADogs Trust Communications Manager Corina Fitzsimons told Newstalk that there was a rise in reports of missing dogs as lockdown measures were eased last year.
“We did see a sharp increase in the number of dogs reported missing and suspected stolen on our lost and found dogs Facebook group, particularly from June to September,” she said.
“We think this could be because of the huge demand for dogs during lockdown and the huge increase in the prices being charged for dogs online.
“Then, obviously, during those months, the weather was good so more dogs were out in gardens.”
#ISPCA welcomes new @agriculture_ie Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 “Working Together for Animal Welfare”. If Ireland is to be increasingly recognised for high AW standards, then it must be at the forefront of all activities involving animals in Ireland. https://t.co/hI6qeLlAOp pic.twitter.com/i0BGGlc2Hs
— ISPCA (@ISPCA1) February 2, 2021
She said lockdown has seen a surge in demand for dogs – and warned anyone thinking of purchasing a pet to be extremely careful about where they are coming from.
“Online trends showed that the demand for buying a puppy in Ireland skyrocketed by 400% during lockdowns and so, sadly, did the risk of purchasing a dog from a puppy farm or a dog that has been stolen,” she said.
“Unfortunately, if our current legislation is not enforced, the guidelines around selling pets, people can unwittingly buy a stolen dog.”
DoneDeal suspended ads for dog sales in August, but there are still other websites available where pets are being sold for thousands of Euro.
There are several dogs listed on Irish websites today for prices ranging between €1,000 and €3,000.
Gardaí say they are continuing to carry out patrols and checkpoints as part of Operation Thor in a bid to deter criminals groups involved in the theft of pets.
