New Humane Society 'guard' on the job 24-7

Horgan Sales donates, installs security system

The Humane Society of Portage County is getting a security system to protect its building from break-ins like the one the group experienced in January.

Horgan Sales and Service donated and installed the security system valued at about $1,000 on Monday, said owner Mike Horgan.

"A big part of the effect of these systems is deterrence," he said. "The more people that know the system is in, the less likely a break-in."

Thieves entered the Humane Society overnight Jan. 11 and took about $5,000 in donations, along with animal drugs, from the office area. Police so far have not arrested anyone in the crime, Stevens Point Police Capt. James Dowling said.

The Humane Society has recouped all but about $1,000 of the donations that were lost in the break-in, said Nancy Butterfield, operations manager.

She said some donors who had their checks stolen in the burglary re-sent money above the amount of their original donations. The organization also saw new donors giving money after the break-in, she said.

"The response has been wonderful. The community really banded together and helped," Butterfield said.

But the Humane Society still was worried about the possibility of another burglary.

Butterfield said the group called Horgan Sales and Service at the recommendation of local veterinarians who purchased security systems after their clinics had been broken into last year in a string of burglaries. Horgan offered to donate the system, and the group purchased additional fire security for the building, she said.

Horgan said he donated the system because, in his industry, he doesn't get many opportunities to give to the community. Donating the security system "just fit with what we do," he said.

(By Kate Garsombke, Stevens Point Journal -- March 9, 2004)

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