Smash & grab burglars target flea, tick products

Sacramento, Calif. — For the second year in a row, thieves hit Dr. Katie True's Midtown Animal Hospital in Sacramento, Calif. Roughly $4,000 worth of medication was stolen during a September break-in.

It's a crime many practices face when narcotics are stored on premises. These smash-and-grab burglars ignored the ketamine, instead going for flea and tick products, stealing sleeves of Frontline, Revolution and Advantage.

The scheme is simple: Thieves bash in the front door and make a beeline for the reception desk, True says.

"That's where all the flea and tick products are displayed. They can see it from the window. It's like a jewelry store enticing them," she says.

The incident mirrored a break-in last year. The products now are stored elsewhere, True says.

"I have to assume it's the same people doing this, selling the stuff on the black market. Veterinarians need to be aware."