SAN ANTONIO -- Days before the opening of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, the doctor who treats the animals became a victim of crime. Someone stole his Ford Excursion, which he uses as his mobile office.
It was towed after a thief illegally parked the truck in a handicapped spot downtown.
Veterinarian Ben Espy said police found his stolen truck in less than 24 hours after it was stolen from a parking lot in Alamo Heights, in a well lit area. Pain killers, sedatives and antibiotics we're taken.
"I feel pretty guilty for making the truck available for someone," said Espy. "Unfortunately there are a lot of drugs on the street that didn't have to be."
Those medicines are used to treat the rodeo animals. Espy told us a thief drove it to Santa Rosa street, parked in a handicapped spot and ran off with the drugs.
Left inside the truck, was an ultra sound machine worth about $30,000 and a gift from the owner of a prize winning horse.
Since 1996, he has been the veterinarian treating animals at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
"I basically shut down my practice for two days before the Stock Show and Rodeo and then i go down there," Espy said.
The doctor explained he can replace the medicines in time and he is relieved to have his mobile office back.
"It's very frightening and a good lesson for everybody, " he added.
The lesson insisted the vet: be cautious, conceal belongings, and never think crime won't strike you.
