Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3949Theft (animal) · Co. Wicklow · 27 Jan 2026

Sighthound dognapped from Wicklow NSPCA centre by two masked men

Two masked men stole a sighthound from the Wicklow NSPCA centre in Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, on 27 January 2026 by throwing it over a fence. The dog, which had been neutered earlier that day, was later found safe and well after a member of the public spotted it and contacted Bray Garda Station.

  1. Reported29 Jan
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo masked men threw a sighthound over a fence surrounding the centre. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at the Wicklow NSPCA centre in Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe dognapping occurred shortly after 10pm on Tuesday 27 January 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA Garda investigation was launched into the theft. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí confirmed they are investigating the reported theft of a dog from a business premises in Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, on 27 January 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe dog had been neutered earlier that day and was on pain relief medication. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe sighthound was found safe and well and is receiving veterinary care. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA member of the public spotted the dog and contacted Bray Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Jan2026
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Dog thrown over huge fence by masked thugs in gut-wrenching dognapping

    Garda investigation launched; dog found safe and well and returned to NSPCA care on 29 January 2026.

    suspect, malesuspect, male