A woman worried about her missing dog inadvertently stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake in the parking lot Monday at the Wyandotte Animal Pound. Her vehicle and a metal garage style door were heavily damaged, as were some of the cages, a washer, dryer and a gas line.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – A woman worried about the whereabouts of her dog last week created a temporary and unintended drive-through at the Wyandotte Animal Pound.
About 4 p.m. Monday, a 57-year-old resident accidentally stepped on the gas instead of the brake of her 2005 Ford Escape. The sudden forward acceleration sent her vehicle through the side garage-style door of the pound at 1170 Grove, damaging it and the surrounding cinder blocks.
Several cages, as well as a washer, dryer and gas line were damaged as well. Damage is estimated at $3,000.
Calls to Animal Control Officer Chuck Gillenwater Sr. about the impact of the accident on the rescued animals and the cost of repairing the building were not returned as of press time.
Police said there was structural damage to the building, door and cinder blocks. Gillenwater was asked to provide an inventory of the pound’s contents.
Extensive repairs, painting and refurbishing were performed on the building last summer. Many of the animals were temporarily relocated to a city Department of Public Works building south of the present shelter while the cleaning and painting was taking place.
It was unclear at press time if the accident will cause any animals to be relocated.
On Wednesday the door space had been covered with plywood, and bent and broken shelving and cages had been pulled forward into the parking lot. Rescued dogs could be heard barking in their dog runs.
The area inside the pound near Monday’s vehicle impact has been used as an “overflow” area for cats in the event of a hoarding case, or to keep rescued animals isolated pending a veterinary evaluation.
Damage to the woman’s vehicle is estimated at $12,000.