SPCA burglarized

 
It appears Dixie, a four-legged resident of the Frances R. Willis SPCA and Animal Shelter will have to wait awhile longer for relieving ACL surgery.
Someone broke into the SPCA, located on Four Paws Lane in Summerville, early Tuesday morning, cutting power to the shelter, then breaking a window on a front door to gain access to the main office. Once inside, they stole a donation jar – the proceeds of which were intended for Dixie’s surgery -- that contained an unknown amount of cash and loose change.
The exact amount is not known, however, it is believed to have been much more than the $20 figure that has been initially reported in other media, according to Andrew Shepherd, president of the Frances Willis SPCA Board of Directors.
Nothing else was taken, Shepherd said.
“We are obviously shocked and saddened by this incident, but are relieved and thankful that none of the animals in our care suffered any harm,” Shepherd said. “We will prosecute if a suspect or suspects are identified.”
While the suspect(s) cut power to the building, this did not disable the alarm system. A Dorchester County Sheriff’s deputy responded to an alarm at the shelter early that morning. However, the deputy did not see any sign of break in; the broken window was not noticed until later Tuesday morning when employees began arriving at the shelter, Shepherd said.
The suspect(s) apparently entered the property from a wooded area to the side of the building, as security video does not show anyone approaching the building from the front. Video also captured at least one suspect, inside the building, however, the suspect was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, making identification impossible, Shepherd said.
Anyone with information should call the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office at 832-0300.