A VIOLENT attack on an animal sanctuary a year ago has left its owners prepared but fearing another break-in.

Michelle Wall was away from the rescue centre she runs with her husband Raymond for an hour and a half one afternoon in January last year.

On her return to the Fairy Blight centre in Waldens Farms, Crockenhill Road, Crockenhill, she was faced with devastation.

Two birds and five animals had been let out their cages, 12 ferrets were stolen, a dog was injured and two ferrets were killed.

Thieves had taken animal cages, an electric generator and some tools worth £1,000 in total.

Mrs Wall said: “Even now, every time I leave and come back to the centre and I have that feeling of anxiety.

“I’m frightened that someone is going to come in and do that again.

“What I came back to that time was surreal.”

The 45-year-old says it really affected the centre and at first the couple weren’t sure that they would be able to carry on.

But after much hard-work they have continued their work, along with the support of people in the area.

A local business regularly brings supplies for the animals since the attack and a group of Crockenhill nursery children donated money to the centre.

Mrs Wall said: “It’s taken a long long time to build things up again.

“We have just been trying to get on with it but it’s not the same.

“We don’t take in as many animals as we used to because we can’t safely house them anymore.

“It has impacted on us- the fear of it happening again.

“Before this happened I never thought someone could do something like this.”

“They wouldn’t have financially gained from what they took.”

No arrests have been made and the couple have not got back any of their animals or equipment.

Bromley police who investigated the incident would like anyone with information to call 01689 891212.