More than 40 pets reported missing after mass evacuation in Old East Village
Frightened pets may have escaped through shattered windows, says London Animal Care Centre
As residents of London's Old East Village recover from a massive explosion Wednesday night, many are now searching for pets who have gone missing since the subsequent evacuation.
More than 44 pets have been reported missing, according to Layth Al-Kirem, a supervisor with the London Animal Care Centre.
"That includes cats, dogs, and small animals like rabbits, rodents, hamsters and things of that nature," said Al-Kirem.
"It's a big number, but we're doing every effort we can to reunite all of these individuals with their lost pets."
I've never experienced anything like this
In addition to taking calls from concerned pet owners throughout the night, The London Animal Care Centre also dispatched an officer to patrol the Old East Village in search of lost pets, and stationed another at the Boyle Memorial Community Centre to take any reports from residents in search of their pets.
"I've been with animal care for close to seven years, and I've never experienced anything like this," said Jessie Sterling, an animal control officer with London Animal Care Centre.
Sterling added that she expects the number of calls to increase after residents return to their homes and are able to better assess whether their pets are missing.
A massive explosion on Woodman Avenue lead to one home being levelled to the ground, while at least six others caught fire.
A vehicle drove into a house and damaged a gas meter, setting off the explosion.
Police have charged Daniella Alexandra Leis, 23, of Kitchener, Ont. with impaired driving causing bodily harm and driving above the legal limit. She is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 4.