Dog fails to help in burglary

  

AN IPSWICH family are today stepping up security after their ten-stone Rhodesian ridgeback dog was not enough to scare off a thief who snuck into their home as they slept.

The Fayers family thought pet Archie would be enough to deter unwanted guests but the animal failed to prove himself a guard dog when a thief climbed through a small window and took money and a jacket from the Cedarcroft Road property.

The male thief squeezed through a 9ins by 18ins gap in a quarter light porch window and when he woke Alfie, the dog went downstairs to find him but did not bark.

It was not until Margaret Fayers, 49, heard the disturbance and went to investigate the offender fled. She had been sleeping upstairs, as had her husband Paul and son Kane, 16.

Rhodesian ridgebacks are also known as the African Lion Hound or African Lion Dog because of their ability to harass a lion. They are muscular and traditionally aloof to strangers.

Mr Fayers, a bus driver, said: “The dog went downstairs and was walking round but didn't bark at all. We think he must have been in different rooms to the thief as usually he barks and barks if someone he doesn't know comes into the house.

“The dog doesn't go downstairs at night so when he woke Margaret and she saw the downstairs lights were switched on she went to check on Kane in his room.

“Then she went downstairs and saw the back of the man running out of the door wearing my son's jacket. If she hadn't been in Kane's room she would probably have come face to face with him.

“We left the porch quarter light open for ventilation but the porch door and the front door were both locked. We haven't left the windows open since and are putting in extra security measures on our windows.

“I suppose our security has lapsed over the years but you don't think this sort of thing will happen to you.

“With a ten-stone dog walking around we didn't think anyone would have the cheek to come in anyway.”

The thief, who struck at 4.30am on Friday, February 16, took around £25 along with the jacket.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Dc John Ralston at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500.

n Have you been the victim of crime? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk