A protest calling for harsher punishments for dog thieves takes place in Waterford this afternoon.
The demonstration which has been organised by 'Pet Theft Awareness Waterford' gets underway at 2pm in Ballybricken.
It comes following a spate of reported thefts across the country.
Local organiser John Kelly spoke to WLR's Maria McCann on Deise Today: "At the minute dogs are deemed as inanimate objects - same as if someone went in and stole a piece of furniture. Yes there are prison sentences but it's not being enforced, it's not penalised. We want it changed so that it's the same kidnapping. We want harder penalties, we want the government to get on board to come down on these criminals that are making money from animal thefts."
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