Everton defender Jake O’Brien has joined a long list of footballers who have bought protection dogs to keep their families safe while they’re away.
The Irish centre-back, 24, revealed this week that he’s turned to Chaperone K9 – who have previously serviced Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford – to ease the risk of burglaries at his Merseyside home.
It comes after a number of top-flight footballers saw their mansions targeted by robbers while they were on the pitch.
Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Kurt Zouma and Raheem Sterling were all shockingly the victims of burglaries during the 2023 Qatar World Cup.
O’Brien admitted that he decided to buy a trained protection dog for ‘peace of mind’ in a conversation with Chaperone K9.
He added: ‘I think as a high-profile person, security is very important. Not just for you but for your family, knowing that if I’m away for whatever reason, my family are safe at home. As we love dogs, it was a no-brainer to get Knox (his pet) as he’s very loyal and would act as the first line of protection if anything were to happen.
Jake O’Brien has joined a long list of footballers who have invested in a protection dog
The Everton defender admitted the canine ensures his ‘peace of mind’ while he’s playing away from his family
‘A lot of players are more at risk of burglaries because of their job and being in their spotlight on social media. This tends to mean you’re more of a target.
‘Having Knox gives us that extra security in the house as well as being a very friendly pet when having to be on guard.
‘For me personally, it’s been a great decision and I regret nothing. The dogs are also pets at the end of the day so they’ll love attention and affection like other pet dogs.
‘Security dogs for me are the best source of security because of the loyalty they have and their willingness to protect you and your belongings.’
It’s likely that O’Brien took the advice of his new team-mate Grealish when deciding to purchase his canine.
The England winger, who joined the Toffees on loan from Man City in the summer, is thought to have invested some £25,000 in his furry companion after a terrifying break-in at his Cheshire home in late 2023.
While he was playing away at Everton for Pep Guardiola’s side on Boxing Day of that year, burglars stole up to £1million in jewellery from his £5.6m mansion.
It’s understood the attack left the forward’s girlfriend, reality TV star Sasha Attwood, ‘terrified’ and fearing for her safety in their plush northern home.
O’Brien’s Toffees team-mate Jack Grealish has also turned to Chaperone K9
The England forward and his girlfriend Sasha Attwood were the victims of a ‘terrifying’ burglary on Boxing Day 2023
Grealish’s property was indeed based in an area dubbed the ‘Golden Triangle’, which is repeatedly targeted by professional gangs from Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Peru.
Up to 500 burglars from those South American countries travel to the UK every year to target homes in Cheshire, the Home Counties, London and Surrey.
Former Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof also saw his Cheshire home robbed while he was playing for the Red Devils against Brentford in January 2022.
The Swede learned of the attack at half-time and was left with no choice but to leave Old Trafford immediately to ensure his family’s safety.
In an Instagram story following the incident, Lindelof’s wife Maja said: ‘During Victor’s game this Wednesday night we had a break-in at our house in Manchester.
‘I was home alone with both kids but we managed to hide and lock ourselves in a room before they entered our house.
‘We are OK under the circumstances but it was obviously a very traumatic and scary moment for both me and my little kids.
‘We are now in Sweden and are spending some time off with our families.’
