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FERAL CAT PROJECT UNDERWAY PAGE A12
KAMLOOPS AND BEYOND PAGE A14
OBSERVER QUESNEL - CARIBOO
SINCE 1908
Wednesday, January 6, 2014
VOL. 100 NO. 37
www.quesnelobserver.com
PM 40005365
1
$ 30
includes GST
SPCA hit by heartless thieves
Staff still assessing damage and lost donations, looking to public for help AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter After thieves robbed the SPCA of donations, a forensic unit from Williams Lake was called in. “They’re here right now collecting evidence and dusting for prints,” SPCA manager Colby O’Flynn said Monday morning. Sunday, Jan. 5 suspect(s) broke into the animal shelter through the front window, rifled through cabinets and located a cash box in the front office. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen. “It’s just that time of year where we’d have a bit more cash due to donations,” O’Flynn said. “So it hit a bit harder.” This isn’t the first time the SPCA has been broken into. In the last five years O’Flynn said the fence has been cut and the storage shed damaged in successful attempts at stealing everything from a lawnmower and weed wacker, to hoses, wheelbarrows and donated recyclables. “They even stole the winter tires for our van,” she said. “That was expensive to replace.” For now, O’Flynn is waiting for the green light to go through the office and document what exactly has been stolen. “I have to wait until RCMP are done their investigation before I will know everything that’s gone,” she said. O’Flynn noted the window smashed to gain access was barred, but thieves managed to removed them. “In fact, they first broke into the shed and used our ladder to gain access to that window,” she said. “Just kicking us when we’re down.” The silver lining? O’Flynn walked into work Monday morning to 17 messages offering support and help from community members and businesses. “I just cried,” she said. “This community is so supportive.” Anyone with information, call Quesnel RCMP, 250-992-9211 or Crimestoppers, 1-800-222TIPS. To donate to the SPCA call, 250-9927722 or email, quesnel@spca.bc.ca “I really hope someone comes forward,” O’Flynn said. “It’s just not fair, they had no right to steal that money – it’s for the animals.”
Quesnel Winter Carnival Saturday, February 1 st West Fraser Timber Park 1 pm - 5:30 pm
SPCA manager Colby O’Flynn, holding shelter resident Dinah, stands amid the chaos left behind by thieves. Karen Powell photo
Good day, Quesnel. Thanks for reading — and that includes loyal subscriber J. Kastruhoff! To join the Observer family, please call 250-992-2121 and ask for circulation.
QUESNEL
KANGAROOS Sat. Jan.11, 2013 @ 7:30 pm Kangaroos VS Williams Lake Stampeders Sun. Jan. 12, 2013 @ 1:00 pm Kangaroos VS Terrace River Kings Tickets on sale at Fraser River GM