Dead dog found in northeast Calgary dumpster

WARNING: This post contains content some viewers may find disturbing. Discretion is advised. 

CALGARY – The Calgary Humane Society is working with police to locate the owner of a dog found dead in a dumpster in the community of Sunridge last week.

The black and white male pit bull type was found in the 2900 block of Sunridge Way N.E. on Saturday, Sept. 18. He wasn’t wearing any identification and appeared to be injured.

Officials with the organization said Friday the dog’s death is considered to be suspicious, although the cause of death won’t be known until a necropsy is completed. They added the animal, which was approximately five-years-old, didn’t appear to have been starved and was in good condition nutritionally.

The Calgary Humane Society said it’s not common for them to find animals disposed of in such a manner.

“We run into maybe one or two of these a year,” said Brad Nichols with the Calgary Humane Society. “The death appears suspicious, and we don’t want to taint the tips coming in by releasing cause of death or injuries. What we want to do is get a description of the photo of the dog out there and hope someone knows who this dog is and who it belongs to.”

Calgary police detective Shawna Baldwin said if anyone had seen a dog matching the description in the past, but hasn’t seen it in a while, they should come forward with any details that might help.

“I think when we find, or the public finds, an animal disposed of in such an unnatural way, it would lead us to believe there is a problem,” added Baldwin.

Lorna MacMaster works near where the dog was found, and wondered why someone would discard an animal in a dumpster instead of burying it.

“I was just disgusted by the whole thing…just the all-around disrespect for the animal, no compassion,” said MacMaster. “It’s hard to describe; it hit a chord because I am an animal lover. It’s just wrong.”

Anyone with information on the dog or who he belonged to is asked to call Calgary police or contact Crime Stoppers.

– With files from Jenna Freeman and Jill Croteau