Residents of Ensom City, St Catherine, yesterday held and beat two men that they claimed were seen stealing dogs in their community.

THE STAR was informed that about 2 p.m. the men were held in the community after it was alleged that they went to a home where they took up two young German Shepherd puppies.

"The lady was inside when she heard strange sounds. She see one bwoy put a dog over a person yard and another man trying to tief a second puppy," a resident said.

An alarm was made by the startled owner and residents came to her assistance. The men are said to have started behaving badly.

Reports are that the residents began beating the men. Police confirmed that a unit which was summoned to the area, took the men into custody. The police said invesitgations into the incident are continuing.

In recent times, thieves have plagued the community stealing cars, scrap metal and even a man's gold tooth from his mouth.