Several dogs were poorly the next day, which was thought to be due to stress
A group of men wearing balaclavas cut a lock to get into an animal shelter near Hull. Hull Animal Welfare Trust, based in South Cave, believe the men were looking for dogs to steal.
Fortunately, no animals were taken but the dogs were reported to have suffered stress as a result of the incident last Tuesday. Humberside Police confirmed it received a report of criminal damage.
Centre Manager Holly Barker, who lives onsite, was alerted to the intrusion by the security system. She said CCTV showed three men in the kennels, carefully examining each dog in turn.
Holly told Hull Live “I was upstairs and I got a phone call from the security system to say three men were on-site with balaclavas on. They had been scared off because we can shout on the Tannoys that we can see them.
“They had come through one of the fields next to us and broke one of the padlocks and cut it off. They were looking at the dogs for about 20 minutes and caught on CCTV, so then they left and, luckily, didn’t steal any dogs.”
Sadly, the experience proved to be very upsetting for the dogs. “The next day, they all had diarrhoea and sickness from the stress of it,” said Holly.
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “Officers received reports of criminal damage at a property on Pinfold Lane in South Cave at around 9.50pm on Tuesday, 23 September. It is reported three people snapped the lock of a gate to gain entry to a premises before reportedly fleeing the area on foot.
“We would encourage anyone with any information, CCTV or dashcam footage from around the time the incident is believed to have occurred, to please contact us via our non-emergency number 101 quoting log 524 of 23 September. Alternatively, if you wish to report anonymously, you can do so via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Another rescue centre, Woodhaven Second Chance Rehoming near Selby, reported a female lurcher called Bella stolen on Tuesday, August 12. Holly believes the incidents are “very similar”, with CCTV at the other shelter also showing men breaking in at night and looking over several dogs.
Hull Animal Welfare Trust is fundraising for new fencing to increase security. In a Facebook post, the charity said it would be “truly grateful” for any donations.
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