RCMP are looking for a man in the Coaldale, Alta. area after a witness reported the man put his dog down with a handgun early Monday evening.
Police said the man was seen exercising the dog by allowing it to run alongside the vehicle before it was run over. That’s when the witness told officers the man got out of his vehicle and shot the injured dog, adding the man appeared distraught.
“We’d like to identify that person to understand why they had a handgun,” Coaldale RCMP Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry said. “And we certainly don’t want people shooting off handguns on their own in our areas.”
Police said the shooting happened near the intersection of Range Road 211 and Highway 512, which is southeast of the town, at around 5:30 p.m.
“We have no indication if this was malicious or not,” Henry said. “I’m going to suggest likely not.”
Lethbridge Animal Services said unfortunately it’s not the first time they’ve heard of a dog being exercised in this manner.
“It happens all the time, but it’s a terrible thing to see,” municipal enforcement officer Andrew Penton said.
Penton added it’s a situation that can also result in charges.
“If it’s a situation where the animal is injured and you’re at fault, you could be held through provincial legislation for animal protection,” he said.
The man, believed to be in his 30s, is described as about six feet tall, weighing 180 to 200 pounds and was wearing sweat pants. His vehicle is an older model silver Chrysler 300 with black tinted windows and a cargo mesh separating the back seats from the front. Police do not have a licence plate number.
Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP at at (403) 345-5552 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
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