Burglars steal cremated pet remains from Brentwood vet hospital

BRENTWOOD, Calif. - A veterinary hospital in Brentwood says thieves broke in and stole urns and containers holding the ashes of cremated pets.

Break-in captured on video

What we know:

Central Boulevard Veterinary Hospital shared footage of the break-in on Saturday, saying that thieves entered that morning and took ashes that were waiting to be returned to their families.

A manager at the hospital believes the thieves were initially looking for money and, when they couldn’t find any, returned to steal other items.

"They came right in. They went straight for the registers," said Zarah Mehr, the manager of the veterinary hospital. "It was empty because we don't carry cash after hours." 

Staff at the hospital said the ashes swiped by the thieves were in bags underneath the reception desk counter. 

The theft happened hours before the veterinary hospital was supposed to open. 

Police investigation underway

On Monday, the Brentwood Police Department said their officers were dispatched at around 8:10 a.m. to the veterinary hospital, located at the 1200 block of Central Boulevard. 

Police said the officers saw the shattered glass doors at the hospital, but that no suspects were located inside. Investigators said based on surveillance footage, that two suspects broke the glass door at around 6 a.m. to gain access. The suspects wore masks and tried to access the register but did not succeed. The footage shows the suspects leaving through the broken glass door. 

Police said they do not know how the suspects managed to flee, whether it be on foot or in a vehicle. 

The hospital is working with Brentwood police to identify the suspects.

Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact them at (925) 809-7911. Callers can remain anonymous. 

'Immeasurable pain'

What they're saying:

The bags may have little value to the thieves, but are priceless to the owners of three beloved dogs, whose cremated remains were in the bags. 

"Their actions will cause immeasurable pain to grieving families who have already suffered so much. These ashes hold deep emotional value, and we are desperate to get them back to the people who loved these pets," the hospital said.

Other customers on Monday said they feel for the dog owners.

"I was like, what are you going to do with those? And I feel for the pet parents. You know, because this is my third dog, so I know how I would feel, and so my heart goes out to them," said Linda Gittens of Brentwood. 

Another customer said that the ashes are irreplaceable. 

"We plan on cremating when the time comes, and those ashes, you can't replace that," said Pat Ireland of Brentwood. "That's every memory we've ever had when you see that urn."

The theft is also painful for the staff who knew the dogs and the families. 

"Seeing them grieve and then working with the pets so many years, it just hits more to home, you know," said the hospital's assistant manager, Marlene Gorgonio. 

The hospital had a tough task of contacting the families attached to those dogs whose ashes were stolen. 

"It was actually a very difficult phone call to place to the pet owners. They were very understanding," said Mehr. 

Hospital staff are urging anyone who finds the urns or containers to contact them.

"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," the hospital said.

The small urns are made of wood, women with pictures and plaques, each engraved with name of the dogs; Hunter, a lab, Scout, a chihuahua, and Rusty, a mastiff. 

Also stolen were small ceramic paw prints and clippings of their fur. 

The hospital said they refunded the charges to all the people who lost their pets remains. They will also implement a new security measure of locking up the urns. 

"This is a family-owned business and they're wonderful people and they're always so nice and why pick on these sort of people?" said Ireland. "Have a heart and return them. You know? Have some compassion."