HELP CATCH THUGS WHO DROWNED MY DOGS IN A BARREL

Owner's plea for information to nab burglars who killed Penny & Poppy

-  JOHN HAND

A MAN whose dogs were drowned by a gang who burgled his house has told how he is "utterly heartbroken" at losing his pets who were his "rocks".

Kieran Gunner Cunningham said the callous killing of Penny and Poppy "is a deeply disturbing threshold of no return".

He appealed for people with any information to come forward in a bid to bring the thugs responsible to justice.

The incident happened at his home in the Castleview estate in Ardfinnan in Tipperary between 8pm on Saturday, February 11, and 12.30am the next day.

The gang behind the raid stole cash and valuables from the property.

But the thugs also dragged his two beloved dogs, who were around 10 years old, to a barrel in the backyard and drowned them.

In a statement issued to the Irish Mirror, Kieran said the incident happened following a difficult period in his life.