WARNING: This story contains graphic details and images. Discretion is advised.
CALGARY – Police and the Calgary Humane Society (CHS) are investigating an animal cruelty case after a family says they came home on Monday to find their dog dead and buried in their backyard.
The family that owned the dog, who does not wish to be identified, had been subletting a house in the Renfrew area. They believe the lease holder—a man who lived in the basement—is responsible for the death of their dog, Chevy.
The dog owners say they were out for the day, and came home to find their five-year-old Border Collie-Labrador cross half out of a grave that had been dug. Blood can be seen in photos of their backyard.
CHS Peace Officers were called to the 1400 block of Richland Road N.E. in the Renfrew area around 4:30 p.m. on March 23 to assist Calgary Police with the investigation.
“CPS are the primary investigating agency and we are providing forensic support,” said Calgary Humane Society senior manager of animal cruelty investigations Brad Nichols.
Police seized kitchen knives and an axe from the garage. The family said the kitchen knives are not typically kept in the garage, so they believe the attacker used knives to stab their dog to death.
They also found the door kicked in, suggesting someone had broken into their part of the house.
The landlord, who rents to the family and the alleged dog attacker, is now evicting the family with one month’s notice. The family said the alleged attacker had already moved out earlier this week.
The family said police previously arrested the basement tenant, then let him go. They say his account—to both them and police—was that he hit the dog with his car.
A neighbour in the area told Global News that a man she recognized as the basement tenant came to her door, told her he’d hit the family’s dog and asked to borrow a shovel. The neighbour said the man told her it was “gruesome and gory so do not come over.” She lent him the shovel, but didn’t realize what had happened until police and the forensics support from CHS arrived on Monday afternoon.
Police say the investigation is ongoing, but don’t believe other animals are in the community are in danger as they don’t believe the incident was “random.”
With files from Mia Sosiak
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