Burglars broke into a veterinary hospital in Brentwood, Calif., and, after failing to access the cash register, fled with bags containing urns of deceased pets’ ashes.
Authorities were called to Central Boulevard Veterinary Hospital around 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, according to the Brentwood Police Department.
When officers arrived, they found one of the clinic’s glass doors shattered and searched the building, but no suspects were inside.
Surveillance footage later showed that the break-in happened around 6:00 a.m. that morning. Police said two masked suspects broke the glass door to get into the business.
Once inside, the pair tried to open the cash register but were unable to do so. Instead, they grabbed specially prepared bags holding urns with pet ashes. The suspects then left through the same broken door and fled the area, though it is unclear how they left.
Central Boulevard Veterinary Hospital shared the security footage on social media, urging anyone who might find the ashes to reach out to them or the Brentwood Police immediately.
“Their actions will cause immeasurable pain to grieving families who have already suffered so much,” the hospital wrote. “These ashes hold deep emotional value, and we are desperate to get them back to the people who loved these pets.”
The hospital added a plea to the community: “If anyone finds any pet ashes, urns, paw prints, or containers discarded anywhere in Brentwood or the surrounding areas, please contact us immediately. We are not concerned about anything else that was taken — we just want to return these pets to their homes. No family should have to experience this level of grief again.”
Police have asked that anyone with information about the burglary or the missing ashes contact the Brentwood Police Department at 925-809-7911.
