Animal clinic faces £5k repair bill after break-in

A break-in has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to an animal charity just months after it was refurbished.

The Great Baddow clinic of the RSPCA Essex Mid & North Branch was broken into on Saturday at about 12:30 BST.

Managers hope insurance will cover much of the repair bill, which is estimated to cost more than £5,000.

A 22-year-old man of no fixed abode has been charged with burglary and possession of cannabis in connection with the incident.

The clinic provides veterinary care for pets whose owners rely on a pension or benefits such as Universal Credit.

It underwent a large refurbishment last year, reopening in December.

Clinic manager Nicola Rose said: "It is a huge shock and extremely upsetting for the whole team.

"We have worked so hard on the recent refurbishment to provide a top-tier facility for local animals, and to see it targeted in this way is heart-breaking"

Income generation manager Derrick Yapp said he was worried it would still be left out of pocket.

He added: "Every penny that's taken away just means that's possibly another animal we can't help."

The centre managed to reopen for business as usual two days later.

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