Thousands of Dollars worth of Vet Drugs stolen from Animal Shelter: two arrested

Police have made two arrests and executed search warrants at Purcell Estate and Cane Garden Bay in connection with the burglary perpetrated at the animal shelter.

According to a press release issued by the Humane Society, thousand of dollars worth of drugs have been reported stolen from the animal shelter (The Human Society) in Johnson’s Ghut.

On Sunday August 10th, it was reported that a thief or thieves had broken into the shelter. The scene at the shelter was said to be chaotic, with strewn papers all over the floor, boxes of veterinary medicines upturned and bottles broken, fridges for valuable drugs with doors wide open and piles of broken glass from broken windows.

The Police were called in and they dusted for fingerprints. Then it was possible to evaluate just how much looting had taken place.

“We are a charity,” said manager Tessa Gunter. “We rely on good will and fees from boarding dogs and cats to maintain the animal welfare work we do. We struggle enough as it is without having to contend with this sort of insult.”

The most significant theft was that of some $2000 (retail value) worth of “Heartguard” or Ivermectin. This drug is a broad based anti parasite drug particularly used in the prevention of heartworm, a parasite transferred to dogs, cats and livestock by bites from the common mosquito.

Also stolen were a number of items from the pet shop, including multivitamin tablets for dogs, heavy choke chains with spurs used for restraining large dogs, three 25 pounds of dry dog food, two slabs of tinned dog food and $20 in cash.

Damage to the shelter includes broken windows and shelving. Reports are it appears the culprits entered the building by destroying the main door, after failing to enter the back office through the window.

“I can’t believe this has happened,” commented Tessa, who founded the shelter and has managed it for the last 28 years. “We had a really bad year this year. We need new premises as the land we are currently based on is private and the owner wishes to develop it. We’ve had a really bad year for strays and we’ve had to put almost 500 unwanted animals to sleep. We’ve only found homes for about 120 of the animals that have been brought to us so far this year. We’ve lost a considerable number of benefactors, our veterinary drugs have been help up for months on end in St. Thomas and now this. It has been a real struggle to keep going.”