COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – This past Saturday, the National Mill Dog Rescue in Peyton, Colorado was burglarized.
Director of Operations for the National Mill Dog Rescue, Sarah Thompson, tells 11 News she’s thankful no dogs or staff members were hurt during the theft, but this has left them in a difficult spot.
“Thankfully, all the people and the dogs here were unharmed, they didn’t get into our main building it was just our outbuildings that were violated, but you know it still is a really big wake up call for us to know that we’re no longer necessarily safe out here in our peaceful prairie spot,” Thompson says.
Important items which were stolen from the rescue include snowblowers, sun shades for the dogs and a zero-turn lawn mower, which are all needed to maintain the rescue.
Thompson says an employees personal items were also stolen stating, “Various tools that actually personally belong to one of our employees.”
Thompson continues saying, “So, he lost essentially his whole toolbox worth of everything and he had brought them you know here to help and to help do his job and support the organization and then that’s the thanks he gets is he lost these items.
“So we’re working hard to make sure we can replace those for him.”
Thompson explains who the nonprofit National Mill Dog Rescue is mentioning they work, “… with the efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome commercial breeding dogs.
“So that is everybody from breeding moms and dads that have retired, to puppies that couldn’t be placed. Sometimes we end up with some pregnant moms so we have some babies born in our care.
“Our focus is really making sure that these dogs, that have really not had the best life to start out, do get the best life they possibly can.”
Elaborating on how this entire incident has impacted their lives, Thompson tells 11 News, “It definitely has made us think twice about some of our normal practices.
“We are you know about 20 minutes outside of Colorado Springs so there’s not a whole heck of a lot going on out here, which used to feel safe and secure and it definitely feels different now.
“It feels different going into the spaces where we know strangers have been and rummaging through and touching and breaking our stuff.
“We are diligent about locking up at night anyway, but it just really makes you think about what extra things we need to look at for the safety of our volunteers and our staff and the dogs and our visitors.”
Thompson also tells 11 News how this experience has made them feel saying, “We’re angry, but we’re also really sad. It’s really sad that somebody would come and take things away from a nonprofit, much less a dog rescue.”
Thompson says ways people can help them is sharing the surveillance videos they put out on social media and if you recognize anyone in the videos or know anything about the incident to contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Additionally, Thompson tells 11 News if people could look out for their stolen property on Facebook Market Place and other sites it would be greatly appreciated.
Also, Thompson says you can make monetary donations as well by going to their social media channels and clicking on the donate button, or calling them at (719) 683-3334.
Thompson tells 11 News she’s incredibly thankful for all of the community’s wonderful support.
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