An employee of Heritage Animal Hospital on Hilton Head Island allegedly stole $75,000 over four years at the practice, then moved to England, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

A veterinarian at the practice on Arrow Road made the allegation Monday against the former employee, and investigators are sifting through records to verify the amount missing, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Sgt. Robin McIntosh said.

The employee used payroll checks to deposit money from the business account into her personal account and then deleted the records, according to McIntosh.

"It was not discovered until another accountant came in and found there were discrepancies in bank records dating back to March 2009," McIntosh said.

Investigators are verifying the accountant's findings, but it may be too late to catch the former employee. According to the incident report, she recently moved to London.

McIntosh said investigators' findings would be pursued if the employee returned to the United States.

"It really depends on the course of the investigation as far as what actions we will take," McIntosh said.

Attempts Wednesday to reach veterinarians and managers with Heritage Animal Hospital were unsuccessful.

According to its website, the practice provides medical, surgical and dental care for pets.