AN ANIMAL charity is urging the public to help it find two retired police dogs who have been stolen.
The Belgian Shepherds were taken from a foster home helping out the shelter Héroes de Cuatro Patas ('Four-legged Heroes') in the Toledo area on Monday night.
Leko, five, an expert in combat and security in the Armed Forces who was pensioned off due to health problems, and Gala, six, who was taken off duty because of her behaviour, had been given to Héroes de Cuatro Patas – as are many services dogs when they cease work – to find them new homes.
They were being cared for by foster 'parents' at Tao Dog Home until they were completely well and retrained so they could be rehomed, since Belgian Shepherds are only suitable for very experienced and active dog-owners.
Héroes de Cuatro Patas has offered a €1,000 reward for anyone who can help them find the missing animals.
“We're desperate,” said a charity spokeswoman.
“Gala has been spayed [meaning if she was stolen to breed from, she may be cruelly 'discarded' once the thieves find out this is impossible] and Leko is ill and needs special feed and medication.
“Please don't do anything horrible to them – leave them somewhere we can collect them from, because they're no good for breeding.
“We won't stop until they're found and we're offering €1,000 for their safe return.”
Anyone who finds them should call the 112 emergency hotline – which has English-speakers available if necessary – or the police on the freephone lines 091 or 062, or contact the charity urgently on their Twitter site, @heroesde4patas.
Photograph by Héroes de Cuatro Patas on Twitter (@heroesde4patas)
