When mysterious markings suddenly appeared outside their homes, residents in Suffolk didn’t know why they were there or who had made them.
The white marks have been left on gates, fences and brickwork and as more people shared photos on social media, residents began to wonder if they were being targeted.
Dog thefts
Many people believe the markings are connected to a spate of dog thefts across Suffolk, especially after four dogs and 13 puppies were stolen from a boarding kennel in July. And it’s not just Suffolk that’s been hit. Ireland is also experiencing a wave of dog thefts; at least 120 dogs have so far disappeared from gardens.
Stay alert
Some residents have reported strangers opening gates, so when a dog runs out, they can easily steal it. There have also been cases of people knocking on the door to see if the resident needs work done, with the ulterior motive of finding out if there are any dogs in the house.
While police are investigating the markings, which include coloured ribbons, twigs, cable ties, chalk marks, and nails left in prominent places, as well as blue dots on house walls, they cannot confirm that they are connected to dog thefts. However, people are being urged to stay alert and not let dogs out in the garden unsupervised. Anything suspicious should be reported to the police on 101.
