A man is being sought after a van belonging to Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue in Kennesaw, Georgia, was covered in black spray paint in the second vandalism attack on the charity this year.
Surveillance footage shows a figure walking on to the rescue’s property from the street before taking out a spray can and painting over the purple vehicle. The van had displayed the organisation’s logo and photographs of dogs and cats.
Tammy Turley, the rescue’s executive director, said the vandal moved to the side of the van furthest from passing traffic and continued spraying until the original design had been obscured.
Repairing the vehicle is expected to cost several thousand dollars, with the total damage estimated at up to $7,000. “That’s money we could be using to save a dog’s life or a cat’s life,” Ms Turley said.
Kennesaw animal rescue vandalism investigated
Kennesaw police are investigating and have increased patrols around the site. Investigators believe the suspect may live nearby because the person seen in the footage appeared to walk to the rescue rather than arrive by car.
No one has been identified and police have not confirmed whether the man captured on camera is the same person responsible for an earlier attack in January. On that occasion, both the van and a larger trailer belonging to Mostly Mutts were covered in graffiti.
The suspect in the latest footage has a similar build to the person seen in the January images, although the face is not clear. Police are also examining whether the new paint appears to have covered parts of the lettering left from the earlier vandalism.
Ms Turley said she could not understand why anyone would damage the property of an animal rescue. “Knowing you’re doing it to dogs and cats, it’s just heartless,” she said.
She urged the person responsible to seek help at the rescue instead, adding: “If he needs something to do, come here and volunteer, save a life. Don’t be out there in the middle of the night, we can put you to work here.”
