Christmas event for dogs called off after burglary
The festive event gives dogs and their owners a chance to meet Father Christmas
- Published
A charity Christmas event for dogs had to be cancelled after the host business was burgled.
Hundreds of pet owners had been due to visit the two-day Santa Paws event at a dog training school near Lincoln last weekend.
It was called off after thieves stole goods worth £12,000.
Business owner Steve Breach said this included presents for the dogs and a Father Christmas suit he was going to wear.
Dog trainer Steve Breach said he was determined to hold the event again next year
The event had been due to take place last Saturday and Sunday at the Dog Adventure Company & Paddocks in Doddington.
Mr Breach, a dog trainer, said the burglars were believed to have struck on Thursday or Friday.
He said the boxes stolen had included presents which had been wrapped up for the dogs.
Festive decorations and the Father Christmas suit Mr Breach was due to wear at the event were also taken.
He said: “They’ve somehow smashed the lock off.
"All the doors are padlocked normally. They’ve smashed the lock and they’ve just yanked the door open.
“About 20 boxes were taken. We had dog collars, harnesses, leads, that kind of stuff for the dogs."
Mr Breach said he was struggling to understand why anyone would steal the goods.
"I’m gutted for the people that come down every single year to have a photo with their dog for Christmas.", he said.
"I feel very low. I want to make up for it and I just don’t know how.”
Mr Breach has run the event, which raises money for several charities, for seven years.
His customers set up a fundraising page to try to recover some of the costs lost and he said he was determined to hold the event again next year.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: "We received a report of a burglary at the Dog Adventure Company & Paddocks on Lincoln Road, Doddington.
"This was believed to have happened between 14 and 15 December.
"Several items, including dog harnesses, collars and leads were reportedly stolen from the premises.
"A box of Christmas decorations was also reported stolen," the spokesperson added.
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