Police have recovered three out of the four Guide Dogs Victoria vans that were stolen on Christmas night, after the charity’s CEO said the theft was “distressing” for those with low vision who were waiting for a service dog.
Police say the four Toyota Hiace vans were stolen from a Guide Dogs veterinarian building on the Chandler Highway in Kew, after it was broken into between 8pm on Christmas Day and 8.30am on December 26.
Guide Dogs Victoria CEO Karen Hayes with Ari the guide dog on Sunday.Credit:Paul Jeffers
Two of the vans were located in Kew on Boxing Day and another van was found in a car park at Southbank on Monday. There was no significant damage to either van.
“It is believed the offender cut gates and fences to access the yard before accessing the building by damaging a window,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said on Monday.
“One van remains outstanding, and the investigation is ongoing.”
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Guide Dogs Victoria chief executive Karen Hayes said the theft was a “despicable” act – particularly at Christmas – with the vans being used to transport guide dogs in training around Victoria to acclimatise them to navigating through the community.
“What I’d like to say to those involved is to please find your conscience and understand the bigger picture – you’re impacting somebody who has a blindness or low vision,” she said.
“We’ve got a lot of people on our waiting lists, expecting to get their dogs in the new year, and of course this will just delay that whole process. It’s very distressing for our clients.
Three stolen Guide Dogs vans found in Melbourne
Source: Philippines Alive
