Warden urges buyers not to pay big money for pups as Brandy reunited with Sean

Louise Walsh

“Just over the moon to have my best friend back,” was an ecstatic 85-year old's reaction to being reunited with his beloved dog who was stolen almost four weeks ago.

The theft of the cherished 12-year old Springer Spaniel 'Brandy' left owner Sean Garrigan devastated when he was reportedly taken from his home in Brannoxtown, Trim, on July 8th last.

Tireless and persistent investigations by Trim Gardai and Meath Co Council's Dog Warden Alan Nolan and a public appeal by Sean's son Aidan led to the recovery of Brandy who was left outside a house in Ballyfermot on Sunday afternoon.

Celebrating the pet's return Aidan has now pledged to campaign for more stringent laws against the theft of pets.

"We have spent the last four weeks making sure no stone was left unturned. Brandy wouldn't give up on us so there was no way we were giving up on him even though the odds were against us with each passing day.

"Dad has had Brandy since he was a pup and he never roamed from the house ever. Dad was just heartbroken over the last few weeks

"I got sent some pictures on Sunday of a dog similar to Brandy and we drove up to Ballyfermot to get him.

"Dad had nearly convinced himself that it wasn't him so he wouldn't be disappointed again. Brandy saw him and the tail started wagging immediately and he ran to him.

"We still didn't know for definite until Ann McDonnell of Clondalkin Animal Aid dropped everything and rushed over to scan the microchip number which confirmed it was him. And when we got him home, he just ran around and around the garden.

"You could see the joy in the dog's face and Dad was I think initially just overwhelmed.

"Throughout our search, we received thousands of messages of support from people not only in Ireland, but across the UK, German, France, the US and Australia who we would like to say a big thank you.

"And we are forever in gratitude to Detective Jill Mangan and all in Trim Gardai, dog warden Alan Nolan and friend Sarah Hanlon. Only for them and their investigations, we would still be searching today.

"However our thoughts are with all those who are still without their pets due to thieves and I'm not letting this go for them. The law has to change in respect to the theft of pets and I will endeavour to get more stringent regulations put in place."

Owner Sean was still in disbelief, saying it was all 'surreal.'

"Brandy is more to me than just a dog - he is my reason to get up in the morning and the reason I feel safe at night. I'm over the moon to get my best friend back."

Meanwhile dog warden Alan Nolan appealed to people not to pay huge money for dogs, which was part of the reason dogs were being stolen for breeding purposes.

"This just proves that you should never give up on a dog if it's lost. We didn't and thankfully our intensive investigations led to Brandy's recovery.

"Again, micro-chipped is extremely important and I can't stress that enough.

"Also, please, please stop paying huge money for pups, especially if they have no papers.

"Pups that normally sell for 300 euro are now fetching over €1,000 each and people are paying that price. If you have a litter of pups, that's huge money to be getting - and a big temptation to thieves to steal a dog for breeding."