A Brock Township business is fighting back after a Pride display was targeted by vandals late last week.

Multiple flagpoles adorned with rainbow flags were smashed at Coveted Canines Kennel and Sanctuary on Lakeridge Road in the Sunderland area at some point Thursday (July 29) night or early the following day.

“This morning (Friday, July 30) when our volunteers arrived to open the barn they told us that the pride flags and flag poles had been bent down and damaged,” said owner Carly Werle.

“The aluminum poles were bent down on all four flags. One Canadian pride flag was ripped and not able to be put back up. We were able to take the flag poles apart and put them back up.”

Werle noted that Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton was quick to offer his assistance, as well as countless others in the community that have offered up support.

To counter the vandalism, the business has ordered more than three dozen signs stating ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ to line its laneway.

“And we are going to donate $5 per sign purchase to a local LGBTQ2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and two-spirit) group,” Werle said.

They’re also hosting an open house from noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 8 for members of the LGBTQ2S+ and allies in the community.

“We want to reach out to everyone to build bridges and to let them know we are a fully inclusive organization,” Werle said.