36 DOGS STOLEN IN £15,000 FARM RAID
09:00 - 05 February 2008
Thirty-six dogs and puppies valued at £15,000 have been stolen from a farm in Carmarthen.Dyfed-Powys Police say some of the puppies stolen from Pengoiallt Farm, Felingwm Uchaf were just a day old when dog snatchers struck on Saturday night.
The dogs were housed in an outbuilding, and used for breeding and sold as pets.
Stolen all together were five Beagle bitches and 23 puppies, two Jack Russell bitches and three puppies, one King Charles Cavalier bitch and two Yorkshire terrier bitches. Farm owner Tegwyn Jones said the theft was devastating.
He added: "In total, the dogs and puppy litters were worth £15,000. I can't believe it."
Mr Jones and his partner, Mary Tapp, were not at the farm when the theft occurred.
Miss Tapp said: "We were not there on the night.
"A neighbour did phone the farm to warn of a vehicle coming down his track that evening, but we didn't get the message.
"We are really worried about the puppies because two of them were just a day old and were under heated lamps to keep them warm.
"One of the lamps has been damaged, and now those puppies are out there somewhere.
"In one scoop, they were all gone."
She added that it was probable the farm was being watched by thieves who had planned their attack.
"They obviously had time at the farm to steal the dogs, it couldn't have been rushed."
As of August 2007, the value of dogs stolen across the county for the year stood at £24,350.
High-value breeds including adult dogs, bitches and litters have are all been targeted by crooks over the past two years in the Towy, Amman and Gwendraeth valleys.
Spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police Sian George said: "We can confirm an investigation is underway into the theft of dogs in Felingwm Uchaf.
"We are asking anyone with information to come forward and call us."
Call Dyfed-Powys Police on 0845 330 2000.