Gardaí in Swords, Co Dublin, are appealing for information on the theft of two valuable Cavalier King Charles dogs from the National Event Centre in Cloghran, Co Dublin, recently.
The dogs were stolen from their cage in the boot of a car by two men who drove off in the direction of the M50 in a Northern-registered red Ford transit van. The theft occurred between 4.30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The dogs are both female. One of the dogs is black and white, and the other is black with tan markings. Gardaí are keeping an open mind as to the motive for the theft, but say the owners are anxious to get the dogs back as they are family favourites.
One of the oldest of the toy spaniel breeds, Cavalier King Charles dogs have made something of a comeback since 1928, when the breed was resurrected from almost total extinction. Cavaliers are noted for their mellow, affectionate and loving dispositions.
They are usually 12 to 13 inches high, and weigh 13 to 18 pounds. Characterised by long flowing ears, and large soft eyes, Cavaliers are frequently depicted in the works of artists such as Stubbs, Gainsborough and Reynolds. They were especially popular under the reigns of Charles I and II of England.
Gardaí in Swords are appealing for information on the theft of the dogs, particularly any sightings of the two men and anyone who might have seen the Northern-registered van leave the National Event Centre in Cloghran, Swords, Co Dublin, on August 1st.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/8a09a42a-bf7b-491e-848d-432f8309b3fa.png)