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| Clares Rocket: '1m euro kidnapped greyhound' found | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The trainers of a kidnapped greyhound, believed to be worth up to 1m euros (£847,000) in stud fees, have said they are "delighted" the dog has been found. | |
| Four men have been arrested after the greyhound, Clares Rocket, was found "safe and well" by Irish police. | |
| The dog is believed to have been stolen from kennels run by the Holland family in Golden, County Tipperary, on Monday. | |
| They said they were "very emotional" when they were reunited with the dog and he was "very glad to be home". | |
| "His feet are a bit sore but he had been fed and had not dehydrated," the family added. | |
| 'Nightmare' | |
| The greyhound is owned by the Limerick-based Full House Syndicate but is trained by Graham Holland and his family at Riverside Kennels in County Tipperary. | |
| In a statement on their website, the family said: "The whole thing has been a nightmare for the team, and his owners. | |
| "We were away in Belfast visiting our son Christopher and we assume the dog was taken in the early hours of Monday morning. | |
| "Our other son Timmy found the dog missing and contacted us immediately." | |
| The theft of the champion dog was widely reported in the Irish and UK press, sparking comparisons with the IRA kidnap of the Irish racehorse Shergar in 1983. | |
| 'Superstar dog' | 'Superstar dog' |
| At one stage, it was speculated that thieves might demand a ransom for the safe return of the dog. | |
| Clares Rocket is considered to be a "superstar" in greyhound racing, according to pundit Ian Fortune. | Clares Rocket is considered to be a "superstar" in greyhound racing, according to pundit Ian Fortune. |
| "He's already captured under 54,000 euros (£45,800) in prize money and he's not even two-and-a-half years of age yet," Mr Fortune told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme. | "He's already captured under 54,000 euros (£45,800) in prize money and he's not even two-and-a-half years of age yet," Mr Fortune told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme. |
| "Purely just in terms of pace, determination, track craft - this is just a serious greyhound. | "Purely just in terms of pace, determination, track craft - this is just a serious greyhound. |
| "He's a dog that seems to have everything. He has great early speed, flies down the back straight, stays strong. He's well bred." | "He's a dog that seems to have everything. He has great early speed, flies down the back straight, stays strong. He's well bred." |
| The Racing Post said Clares Rocket is "regarded as one of the fastest - and best - greyhounds seen in years". | The Racing Post said Clares Rocket is "regarded as one of the fastest - and best - greyhounds seen in years". |
| The Holland family said they were informed on Tuesday evening that four men had been arrested and that the dog was safe. | |
| 'Delighted' | |
| "We picked Rocket up at about midnight and it was very emotional," the family added. | |
| "He was very glad to be home and we were delighted to see him again. At one stage, naturally, we all feared the worst. | |
| "Thank you to all our family, friends and followers who supported us during this time." | |
| Detectives are questioning two men in Tipperary Garda (Irish police) station while the other two suspects are being interviewed at Clonmel Garda station. | |
| A Garda spokesperson said the four men were detained on suspicion of the theft and possession of the stolen greyhound. | A Garda spokesperson said the four men were detained on suspicion of the theft and possession of the stolen greyhound. |
| However, Clares Rocket has "found safe and well", police confirmed. |