Dog-napped Doberman missing for over a year is reunited with 'ecstatic' family

An ecstatic Meath family have been reunited with their dog - one year after it was stolen from their back garden.

Ace was handed into a vet on the Commons Road in very poor condition. The Doberman was emaciated and carrying an infection and after some emergency care was in a position to be reunited with owners the Walsh family from Kells.

Ace was identified because he had been Microchipped at only a few weeks old. However he was taken from the family's back garden on 16th December 2015.

'We had a tearful reunion and we are looking forward to a great 2017 now that he's home,' said a delighted Conor Walsh.

Meath Dog Warden Alan Nolan was thrilled to see the dog reunited with the family and stressed it was only possible because of the chip.

'I rang Conor and asked him if he was missing a dog, approximately two years old. He said he was but it was over 12 months ago and that it had been stolen from the back garden and had been reported to ourselves.
'When I told him he had been found, he was ecstatic. It's a brilliant result, and we just hope that people take away the message of just how important it is to chip your dog - which is a legal requirement - at the earliest opportunity.

 

Alan added that normally there is a reclaim fee for animals that are picked up or handed in but in this instance where Ace had been reported stolen and for the sheer length of time that had elapsed we waived that fee'.

Anyone requiring information about microchipping their animals is advised to contact their local vets or if you lose a dog please e-mail the Environment Section environment@meathcoco.ie or telephone 046-9097200. You can also check the website www.lostdogs.ie