Two dogs stolen from the Prince George animal shelter during a break-in at the Landsdowne Road facility early in the morning of Aug. 5 remain missing.
Police are on the lookout for two suspects who forced their way into the BC SPCA North Cariboo Community Animal Centre and let seven dogs loose into the yard.
Two of those dogs – both pitbull terriers believed to be connected to the culprits and taken by them from the shelter - were not recovered, but the other five were found and are safe. Initially, four dogs went missing.
“The other two (dogs) were held as part of our animal control contract (with the city), so we suspect the reason for the break-in may have been related to them being in our care,” said BC SPCA Interior/North senior manager Jamey Blair.
“They’re not back at our facility and the RCMP are currently handling that part of looking for them. Between us and animal control we are working with the RCMP on their disappearance. They were seized by animal control and they were being held at our facility as part of our contract.”
Prince George RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said police have not found the two suspects involved in the break-in or the dogs and they are asking the public for help.
“Surveillance reveals that two people, dressed all in black, entered the building and stole two pit-bulls,” said Cooper. “If anyone has seen the dogs or knows who the suspects are, we ask them to call the non-emergency line at 250-561-3300 to speak with police.
“Please quote file number 2022-27847.”
The break-in was discovered at about 8 a.m. on Aug. 5 by shelter staff, who immediately located three of the dogs. One of the missing dogs, a Great Pyrenees mix named Marshmallow, was found that afternoon sleeping on the porch of a neighbouring residence. A Rottweiler mix, Ellie, was later that evening by staff of city’s animal control division after she was spotted by a local resident heading out towards the Hart Highway.
“Getting the news out really helped, people were on the lookout,” said Blair.
Blair was unable to reveal how the suspect(s) gained entry into the building. It has a security system but the way it was accessed, that part of the building where animals are sheltered is not equipped with motion sensors.
The Landsdowne shelter and its adjoining property has previously been the target of vandalism. Blair said fences have been cut down and people have tried to access food storage areas in the building. As far as she knows, this the first time a break-in has occurred.
The shelter is open to the public by appointment only Tuesday-Saturday from noon-5 p.m. The facility is closed on Sundays and Mondays but staff are there to receive stray animals. Appointments can be made by calling 250-562-5511.
