New Jackson Animal Care Center estimates over $20K in damages following vandalism
JACKSON, Tenn. — The soon-to-open Jackson Animal Care Center is being forced to take a setback after an act of vandalism estimating $20,000-$30,000 in damage occurred over the weekend.
Courtesy of Jackson Animal Care Center via Facebook
Workers arrived to the construction site for the new animal care facility on Conalco Drive in east Jackson Monday to this sight.
Courtesy of Jackson Animal Care Center via Facebook
“Paint has been scattered all over the walls, all over concrete — just destroyed, and we were almost done,” said Dwayne Childress, painter.
Courtesy of Jackson Animal Care Center via Facebook
Approximately 25 gallons of paint was splattered and spilled in the interior and exterior of the new facility. Black paint covered the walls, windows, and was splattered on the new cabinets that were ready to be installed. Gallons of concrete filler was dumped on the sidewalks outside.
Clean up crews had to use a high-powered industrial pressure washer with more than 600 gallons of water to remove the paint on the exterior of the building.
It also appeared that tools had been stolen.
Courtesy of Jackson Animal Care Center via Facebook
“It’s hard knowing that we’ve fought his hard to get where we are and that there are people in the community that don’t appreciate it and don’t respect,” said Whitney Owen, director of animal services for the City of Jackson.
This is the fourth time the property has been vandalized, and the second time to this extent, with professionals who have had to come clean up the damage.
“We get excited about what we are going to be able to do and the timeline starts progressing and we are getting closer to being finished and then something like this happens, and it throws us back farther so it delays the opening of the building by even more time,” said Owen.
The building was within 6 weeks of being finished.
Security cameras are now being installed on the property. If you have any information about this crime, you’re encouraged to reach out to the Jackson Police Department at 731-425-8400.
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