A woman accused of stealing a donation box containing hundreds of dollars from a veterinary clinic in Pleasant Hills has been arrested, according to police.
The donation box was taken from Pet Vet 365 South Hills last week. The money, estimated at between $400 and $500, was being collected for the clinic’s Daisy Fund, which helps provide veterinary care to pets whose owners need financial assistance.
Pleasant Hills police charged a Baldwin woman with theft by unlawful taking. Police had not publicly released her name at the time of the latest reports.
Surveillance footage from inside the clinic showed a woman entering the facility, picking up the donation container and concealing it beneath her clothing before leaving.
According to the clinic, the woman also removed a sign explaining that the donations were intended for the Daisy Fund before taking the container.
The theft happened as the clinic was collecting money to help animals receive medical treatment. Dr. Ashley Smith-Miller, the clinic’s owner and veterinarian, said the incident was particularly upsetting because the donations were intended for pets in need.
The clinic later shared surveillance footage publicly in an effort to identify the person responsible. By that time, however, police had already identified and located the woman.
Police reportedly made the arrest after receiving a report about a woman panhandling in the area.
For Smith-Miller, recovering from the incident is about more than the stolen money. She said she hopes the attention surrounding the theft will bring more awareness to the Daisy Fund and encourage additional donations so the program can continue helping animals.
The incident has also prompted the veterinary hospital to reconsider how donations are handled. Smith-Miller said the clinic plans to be more careful about securing donation funds and not keeping a large amount of cash in one place.
Despite the loss, the clinic hopes the situation ultimately draws attention to the need for financial assistance programs that help pet owners afford necessary medical treatment.
