Animal shelter burglarized

Truck, computer, documents, cash, stolen

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake/Grant County Humane Society animal shelter was found burglarized this morning.

Moses Lake Police Capt. Jim Jenkins said there are no suspects yet.

When Shelter Manager Theresa Parker went into work today at the shelter, she knew something was wrong.

The gate enclosing the shelter was open and the lock was intact, she said.

Entry was initially gained by cutting through the chain link fence on the north side of the shelter, Jenkins said. Entry to the building appeared to be gained by kicking in a side door.

When Parker approached the building, she found the front door unlocked.

A truck used to transport animals to the shelter was stolen, Parker said. The key to the truck is normally hidden in a cookie jar and the jar was gone too, she said.

The interior of the building was ransacked with containers, papers and other items found scattered, Jenkins said.

A computer and a printer were stolen, Parker said. Important files including animal information were on the computer.

The area around a safe, weighing several hundred pounds and containing euthanasia drugs, was disturbed. Parker said she is the only person with access to the key to the safe.

"There was no forcible entry noticed to the safe," Jenkins said.

Jenkins confirmed the animals appeared to safe.

"I'm so glad the animals weren't hurt," Parker said.

Initial head counts indicated all the animals appeared to be at the shelter, unharmed, she added.

"All this has done is hurt the animals," Parker said. "I'm trying to get those animals out of here so they're not subjected to more stress."

Twelve animals were transferred to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society last week and two were taken to a local animal sanctuary to keep them out of harm's way, she said.

"I don't want the animals here because I don't want someone to hurt them," she said.

The shelter is closed today and may be closed for the remainder of the week due to the burglary and to protect the animals, she said. All volunteers are suspended.

To bring an animal to the shelter or to adopt an animal must be done by appointment until further notice. To make an appointment contact the shelter at 509-762-9616.

Various types of evidence were collected from the scene and the investigation continues, Jenkins said.