Dogs and pony stolen as Kildare animal charity hit twice in a week

A SEARCH is underway to locate four animals stolen from the My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR) main farm in Moyvalley, North Kildare. This follows on from a separate break-in and vandalism at the charity’s shop in Edenderry, Co Offaly last week.

Three dogs named Sarah, Indie, Mo, and a Shetland pony named Lola, were taken from the property after final checks were completed on Sunday evening, 8 November. Security footage shows three men in tracksuits and balaclavas trespassing on the farm grounds to carry out the theft.

The animal welfare charity confirmed that all four animals had already overcome significant hardship before being taken into MLHR’s care.

“These four innocent animals have already been through so much in their lives,” said a spokesperson for the charity. “They deserve love, safety and security … they do not deserve this.

“We are heartbroken, frightened and desperate to get them home. We are now patrolling our farm 24/7 because of evil humans.” 

In response to the incident, MLHR volunteers have deployed search parties throughout the surrounding areas while instituting around-the-clock security patrols across the property. The charity emphasised an urgent need to secure high perimeter fencing to protect the farm from future threats.

An Garda Síochána in Leixlip have been notified of the break-in, and an investigation into the theft remains ongoing.

MLHR urges anyone with potential information to come forward immediately and it’s asking the public to share the appeal widely on social media, keep an eye out for Sarah, Indie, Mo, and Lola, and report any attempts to rehome or sell animals matching their descriptions.

Suspicious vehicles or unusual activity noted near the farm should be reported directly to MLHR or to gardaí in Leixlip.

Last June, a white Falabella pony called ‘Eleanor’ was stolen from the same location, but recovered safe and sound on 26 June after a €1,000 reward was posted.

Then, only last week (3 November), My Lovely Horse Rescue was “absolutely heartbroken and devastated” in the aftermath of an attack on its charity shop in Edenderry. The store was broken into and completely wrecked after “someone smashed their way through the front window, broke windows at the back and went on to destroy so much inside”.

“There is no money in this shop. It is a charity shop,” said the spokesperson.

“Every single penny we raise goes towards helping us run My Lovely Animal Horse Rescue and care for the animals who depend on us.”