Birmingham Dogs Home boss arrested for allegedly stealing £450,000 in donations
The boss of a dogs home has been arrested after £450,000 in donations were allegedly stolen from the charity.
Simon Price, chief executive of Birmingham Dogs Home, which runs Sunnyside Kennels near Wolverhampton, is being probed over the missing cash.
He was arrested on Friday on suspicion of theft and has since been bailed by police.
An investigation was launched after bosses at the dogs home discovered 'financial irregularity' in its accounts.
The well-known charity, which received £2.7 million in donations and legacies last year and relies on public funding, confirmed cash had been stolen.
Sunnyside Kennels, in Coven, is hugely popular. It rehomes 100 abandoned and stray dogs.
John Wheatley, the charity's chairman, said the home's staff and volunteers were in shock over what had happened.
He said: "Further to investigating a financial irregularity within the charity, I am bitterly disappointed to confirm that funds have been stolen from Birmingham Dogs Home.
"A suspect has been arrested and is on police bail. We are working closely with West Midlands Police in an attempt to recover the stolen funds.
"Staff, patrons, trustees and other parties have been informed and we are all deeply shocked and saddened that someone within the charity would abuse a position of trust.
"I would like to assure everybody that the wellbeing of the dogs that our wonderful staff care for remains top priority and will not be affected by this awful crime.
"To our donors and benefactors; your generosity and support over the years has been vital and will remain so.
"No account information has been jeopardised and we are reviewing all of our systems with independent advisors to ensure something like this won't happen again.
Mr Wheatley added: "I am also hopeful that we can recover the stolen funds and return them to their original purpose of rescuing, caring for and rehoming abandoned dogs."
West Midlands Police confirmed a 52-year-old man from Solihull has been arrested and later bailed on suspicion of theft.
Mr Price, who has been chief executive since 2003, launched an online fundraising page on JustGiving.com three years ago ahead of running the Wolverhampton Marathon for the dogs home.
A Charity Commission spokesman said it was aware a person linked to the dogs home had been arrested.
