A CHARITY boss has hit out at ‘heartless’ thieves who stole tools from a dog rescue compound and then trashed it.

The raid at Sibes and Sled Dog Husky Rescue centre on the Barrowford-Colne border comes weeks after its founder John Duxbury died and a thousand-metre sled dog track was opened in his memory.

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Mr Duxbury’s wife Christine has appealed to the thieves to ‘show they have a conscience’ and return the stolen items, including £50 which was to be donated to the British Legion.

Mrs Duxbury said: “It’s annoying and so frustrating that they have been in and done this after recent events.

“John would have been so upset by this. He would be trying to go round and find the people who have done it. But all we can do is try and bounce back from this and carry on with his legacy.

“I’m appealing for help to get this stuff back. Have a heart, we’re a charity and we haven’t got limitless funds.”

The incident has been met with outrage by residents and politicians, who have described it as ‘despicable’.

County Cllr Dorothy Lord said: “It’s awful that this has happened. It’s also more tragic given that John has only recently died. It’s just despicable. I know a lot of people have been really upset about this.”

Barrowford councillor Chris Jowett said: “It’s heartless. I just think it’s terrible to be honest.”

The incident happened some time between 5pm on Monday and 8am on Tuesday and Mrs Duxbury said it was a female volunteer who discovered the ‘carnage’ after being informed by a lock keeper who had discovered a wheelbarrow dumped in the nearby Leeds Liverpool Canal.

Thieves broke into a caravan on the site and stole a TV, bottles of alcohol and a fire extinguisher. They then went into a second caravan, in which Mr Duxbury used to stay, ransacked it and let off the fire extinguisher.

Mrs Duxbury said it ‘looks like a bag of flour has exploded’ but said she was thankful that the thieves had not taken a local hero award Mr Duxbury had received posthumously.

Items were then taken from two compounds, including a yellow quad bike, an orange leaf blower, two petrol chainsaws, two petrol strimmers, petty cash, a blue generator, 50 feet of cable which was going to be used to install CCTV cameras, laptops and printers, and of Advocate flee treatment.

Police have carried out forensic investigations at the site, which is located just off Greenfield Road, but so far have not made any arrests.

Yesterday volunteers turned out to help clear up the mess and Mrs Duxbury thanked them for their ongoing support.

“The support we have had is amazing. They have rallied around and helped us clean up. People have also offered to replace some of the stolen tools.”

The Sled Dog Husky Rescue centre deals primarily with Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and other associated breeds. The rescue is funded by charity and fundraising events and donations from its members.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lancashire Police via 101, quoting crime reference number EG1505328.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by visiting http://sibesandsleddogs.org.uk/donate/ or emailing huskyrescue@hotmail.co.uk