LETHBRIDGE- An investigation into alleged animal abuse near Taber last month has found the matter is not criminal.
“There will be no criminal code charges laid because the results of the investigation revealed that there was no cruelty done to the animal,” explains Sgt. Tom Cooke from Taber/Vauxhall RCMP.
Two teenagers made the grisly discovery just outside of Taber last month. The dog was found dead, tied to a post with blood on its head.
“The autopsy shows that he died as a result of a bullet wound to the head, three actually,” Cooke says.
The autopsy also revealed there was no evidence the dog suffered trauma before or after it died. Early in the investigation RCMP believed the dog may have been hit with a blunt object—possibly a steering wheel found in the area.
“All of those allegations were proven false as a result of the autopsy done on the dog.”
The owner of the dog immediately came forward and worked with police throughout the investigation.
“Apparently the dog from our investigation was…a problem dog. He was having some problems with it and he decided to put the dog down. There is nothing under the criminal code that says you can’t put down your own dog,” Cooke explains.
Animal cruelty is an offence when a person willfully permits pain, suffering or injury to an animal or bird—which some critics want to see changed.
“Right now the Criminal Code also treats all animals as property,” says Barbara Cartwright, CEO and founder of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. “Canadians have been saying for more than a decade they want animals moved out of the property section and put into their own area.”
As for the dog being left tied to the fence on private property, RCMP say the owner didn’t burry the dog because the ground was frozen.
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