Nelson SPCA staff ‘devastated’, appeal for sightings after dogs, cat stolen in night raid
Boris the cat is “friendly and loves to chat”, according to the shelter. Photo: SPCA Nelson-Marlborough.
By Nazahryth Bernard/NZ Herald
The Nelson SPCA is “devastated” after someone broke into the building twice in one night and wreaked havoc, letting animals loose and cutting a fence open in an overnight raid.
They are now working with police after the shelter in Enner Glynn was invaded between Sunday night and Monday morning. One dog and a cat are still missing.
Someone broke into the Nelson SPCA on two separate occasions on Sunday night, letting the dogs out of their pens and cats out of their enclosures, SPCA Nelson centre manager Amy Sturkenboom says.
She says that four kittens being treated for giardia were released from their pens and were later found hiding in a storage area.
The raids were captured on CCTV footage.
One of the missing dogs, an eight-month-old tan Bullmastiff named Simba, has been found after a tip from the public.
Police said the Nelson SPCA was broken into around 2.30am Monday, with the intruder damaging items, releasing animals from crates and cages and cutting a fence open.
Nelson Bays Area Commander Steve Collins says police were unsure whether the missing animals were stolen or wandered off.
“Police have already attended the scene to assess for forensic evidence, reviewed CCTV footage and are following good lines of enquiry.”
SPCA staff and volunteers were left shaken by the events, Amy says.
“There have been many emotional moments as we work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our animals.”
On social media, the SPCA identified the missing animals as Frankie, an 18-month-old black-and-white Labrador-collie hybrid male, and the cat as Boris, a five-year-old domestic black male.
Frankie was described as “high energy and friendly”, while Boris was characterised as a amiable cat who “loves to chat”.
“If you have any information or have seen any of these animals, please get in touch with us right away. Your help is crucial in bringing them home safely.”
The Nelson SPCA can be contacted on 03 547 7171 or [email protected]