INSIDE the Humane Society after the break-in.
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
THIEVES broke into the Bahamas Humane Society on Sunday night, ransacked the place and left more than $20,000 in damage at the animal shelter.
BHS General Manager Percy Grant said no animals or people were hurt during the break-in, but said the shelter is financially set back as their surveillance system was stolen which will cost about $15,000 to replace.
Then there is the estimated damage of $8,500 for the doors and filing cabinets which were damaged during the incident.
On its Facebook page, BHS said while it does not keep large amounts of cash on its premises, at least $500 was taken during the break-in.
Yesterday, Mr Grant said he got a call Sunday night about the incident.
“(The) assistant shelter manager got the call around 10.30 quarter to 11 to come down to the shelter,” he said. “The police were here. They did their fingerprinting. They did their stuff. We have to just go and do our formal report. The police are aware.”
Asked if anyone had a description of the suspects, Mr Grant said: “Nobody and they stole the camera so we have no idea.”
He said the incident has left staff at the shelter distressed.
“Everybody is a bit down because it seems a bit, pretty violated…disappointing really because we deal with all levels of society and for something like this to happen it is really sad, but we know the issues out there. The social problems that we have in the country now and we’re hoping it gets better.”
BHS now needs help from the public for assistance.
“We’re trying to recoup and trying to get all of our stuff back in order,” Mr Grant said. “We are asking the general public to support us.”
He said BHS is hosting a raffle which costs $5 a ticket. The first prize is $10,000 worth of groceries from SuperValue.
“Because of COVID, we don’t have a station post but people can come here (at the shelter)…they can call and (we) can deliver, but we don’t have a stand where you can go and purchase (a raffle ticket).”
On its Facebook page, BHS stressed how this situation has compounded an already precarious situation.
“Our shelter is in huge financial distress and yet we continue to help our community,” BHS said. “This has absolutely devastated us. We have more animals than ever and our operating costs are quickly approaching $2 million per year.
“The BHS continues to support Bahamian families with a pet food bank and a low cost clinic. We continue to work hard to keep pets with their families in these trying times.
“We pride ourselves on being a no kill shelter and we work so hard to save every animal that comes into our care.
“Our shelter is really struggling and this has broken our hearts. Times are so difficult and we are the oldest charity in the Bahamas and simply cannot afford this damage.”
Donations to the shelter can be made via PayPal or Venmo. Contact BHS at 242-323-5138 for more information.
Anyone with information on the break-in is asked to call police at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477).
Comments
AnObserver 2 years, 5 months ago
$2m/year? They desperately need to stop pretending they can be a no-kill shelter. The majority of those animals will likely never be adopted. Reduce the population in your care, and you can provide better for the animals who are left. What kind of life is it being locked up in a cage 24x7 anyway?
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
And to think Minnis just gave them 15 acres of Crown Land!!!!
Yup, The Bahamas Humane Society now has pretty much the same kind of very wealthy and politically-connected elitist aura as The Bahamas National Trust with an ever growing annual operating budget to prove it. LOL
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
C'mon guys, they are doing their best. Why beat them up, when it is the general population who turn these animals out on the streets ? As far as I know, they do offer a free spaying & neutering service, but most people just throw their pets out on the streets hoping someone else will take care of them.
licks2 2 years, 5 months ago
Then. . .mayhaps you can go adopt a few of them!! I got two of them. . .some real fine dogs!! Taking them two on the beach is a blast. . .one likes to "swim" way out. . .then whines to be rescued. . .mmussie tryna "dran" me aye?
One even "grabbed" a duck outta the air after it flew into ma yard!! When I took the "half dead" duck away. . .the dog looked at me like: "hey. . .catch ya own damn duck". . .hehehehehehehehe!!
DillyTree 2 years, 5 months ago
Thank goodness for those "wealthy and politically connected" people. They continue to support and make it possible for the BHS to continue their essential work to assist the animals.
There are just as many ordinary Bahamians who support, volunteer and assist the BHS in so many ways. Thank goodness for them too!
It's the ignorant and disgraceful attitudes of people like the posters above that make the mission even more difficult. Shame on you for trying to take away from those who actually do the hard work and don't sit on their computers demonstrating their ignorance and prejudices for all to see! Why don't you volunteer a few hours at the BHS to help clean up the mess made by these vandals, or offer to walk a dog so it doesn't have to speand 24/7 in a cage?
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
The problem is so many of you gated-community goers supporting the BHS are so damn clubby, woke and warped that you would rather raise scarce public funds to use with your own funds, in addition to grabbing 15 acres of scarce Crown Land on an over-populated island, to feed and care for four legged animals when we have so many two legged young ones going to bed hungry every night who are in dire need in our country today. Suggest you just put all of the unwanted animals to sleep using that humane blue juice and stop trying to creat an expansive BHS empire to soothe your own 'I'm saintlier than thou' wants and needs.
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
create
AnObserver 2 years, 5 months ago
I'm all for gassing the excess dogs, but we also need to be passing out condoms in schools. The two problems aren't all that different in the end.
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
They should gas the thieves, not the dogs
AnObserver 2 years, 5 months ago
Why not both?
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
Dogs don't break into businesses and steal peoples livelihoods
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
So you would rather have all these animals just roaming the streets like in most 3rd world countries. At least these 'elitists' are trying to help, unlike you and that big chip you have on your shoulder. I'm sure your Berkeley attending niece that you are so proud of, would be so proud of you !!
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzz.......
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
So predictable
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz...... x 3
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
Jerk! It's not just the wealthy that donate to BHS and help out. You truly are an ignorant cock!
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
ZZZZZZZzzzzzz.......
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
You really need to come up with a different and more intelligent riposte. You're becoming a bore
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz...... x 2
DillyTree 2 years, 5 months ago
@tribanon, are you really taht dense and ignorant. Who do you think donates millions of dollars to the various children's homes, scholarships, food banks, hurricane relief, old age homes and so many toher worthy causes in the Bahamas? It's those same wealthy, clubby, gated community people you love to hate.
If you want to provide joice boxes and food to children, by all means -- that's your perogative. Some prefer to donate and support animal shelters. It's my money -- what I do with it is my choice -- not yours! And yes, I do donate to all of the above organisations I mention above, so hush up and do your part before you pretend to know what you're talking about! It's people like you that make people not want to donate to two-legged folks. The four-legged ones are way more grateful for the help. So tired of this backward stupidity in this counnty that continues to hold us back from being so much more than we are.
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
Spew as much condescension as you wish from that high alter of yours, but at some point we're gonna have to start getting the likes of you to pay your fair share of taxes, even if it means you may have less to spend by your own choice on your animal friends and the ever growing BHS empire.
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
altar
DDK 2 years, 5 months ago
THIS IS A CRYNG SHAME, LIKE THE COMMENTS OF THE FIRST TWO POSTERS WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY AE TALKING ABOUT.
jus2cents 2 years, 5 months ago
Well said & I agree, they are also part of the problem. Disgusting humans committed the crime and more disgusting are the heartless comments! For Gods sake its a CHARITY, I expect those that criticize haven't given a Penny to the BHS in their life, and they too probably mistreat their animals.
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
There's a reason why the very poor and less well educated women in our society have many more children than they can afford to raise, and why the women in wealthy families have the luxury of affording as many children and four-legged animal friends as their little hearts desire. Just think about where that leaves the rest of our society for a moment.
jus2cents 2 years, 5 months ago
OMG @tribanon, what in the hell are you talking about!? This is a robbery of a charity and you are blaming the WOMEN of Bahamian society! Are you insane? The Women are the Glue that is holding this country together, working, educating and feeding children, while the 'men' drink and throw litter out their car windows, they breed fighting dogs then throw them out too, they have kids and abandon them, they rob and steal from their bosses and each other.... get a grip!
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
I really hope you don't have a son or a husband that you subject to this kind of messaging about Bahamian men.
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
that s/b whom
BONEFISH 2 years, 5 months ago
A despicable act. The BHS is a charity who helps so many in this community with very limited resources. They do a yeoman's job on this island.
licks2 2 years, 5 months ago
Thinking about getting another one!! One "lil" one this time. . .if I get one big one this time. . .that dude will have to work to earn his keep!! Them things cost plenty money ta keep!! Also, them big dogs like ta "rule" ya house in short order. . .I just let him thnik he is in charge!!
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