Thursday 5 November 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. 30232Theft · Co. Limerick · 16 Aug 2021

Stolen dog recovered in Limerick after thieves dyed its hair

On 16 August 2021 a Pug dog named Puddin' was taken at about 3pm from the utility room of a home in Kilmallock, County Limerick, belonging to Eileen Sheedy and her son Jason Hackett, aged 10. On 19 August Eileen received a call from a private number asking for €2,000, and no ransom or reward was paid. Bruff gardaí recovered the dog after its fawn hair had been dyed black, and reports dated 1 and 2 September 2021 say the investigation is ongoing with no arrests made, although a headline says the thieves were collared. The latest development is the recovery of the dog, with the investigation still open.

  1. Reported2 Sep
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A Pug dog named Puddin' was stolen from the home of Eileen Sheedy and her son Jason Hackett, aged 10.
When
The dog was taken on 16 August 2021 at about 3pm.
Where
The dog was taken from the utility room of the family's home in Kilmallock, County Limerick.
Investigation
  • Eileen Sheedy contacted Bruff gardaí immediately, and they took details and advised her what to do.
  • Bruff gardaí recovered the dog, and Garda Dino Wilkinson said they had never come across a stolen dog's hair being dyed before.
  • Reports dated 1 and 2 September 2021 say the investigation is ongoing with no arrests made, although a headline says the thieves were collared.
Other details
  • Posters were put up in the town and on Facebook, and a reward of €1,000 was offered.
  • On 19 August 2021 Eileen Sheedy received a call from a private number asking for €2,000.
  • No ransom or reward was paid for the dog's return.
  • The thieves had dyed the dog's normally fawn-coloured hair black.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe dog was taken at about 3pm from the utility room. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherPosters were put up in the town and on Facebook, and a reward of €1,000 was offered. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherOn 19 August, Eileen received a phone call from a private number asking for €2,000. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe thieves had dyed the dog's normally fawn-coloured hair black. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherNo ransom or reward was paid for the dog's return. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherGarda Dino Wilkinson said they had never come across a stolen dog's hair being dyed before. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Sep2021
    Reportedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    WATCH: Thieves dye stolen dog’s hair but are collared by Limerick gardai

    Reports the theft of a Pug dog and its recovery by Bruff Gardaí after the thieves dyed its hair; investigation ongoing with no arrests made.

    victim, Eileen Sheedy, female, irish (judged from name)Eileen Sheedyvictim, Jason Hackett, 10, male, irish (judged from name)Jason Hackettsuspect