A 20-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences after several animals were found living in what Edmonton police call “uninhabitable conditions.”
At around 6 p.m. on Sunday, police were called to a complaint about the alleged abuse of a dog at a suite in the area of 133 Street and 130 Avenue.
In a news release Wednesday, police said officers discovered five cats and one dog inside the suite.
“Northwest division patrol responded to a reported incident of animal abuse on Sunday,” EPS spokesperson Scott Pattison said.
“The officers discovered several cats and a dog in distress living in deplorable conditions, surrounded by feces and urine.
“One of the officers involved told me the stench was outside as well.”
Police said they were told the dog was allegedly abused and beaten by its owner, most recently on Saturday.
Most of the animals were seized and taken to Edmonton’s Animal Care and Control Centre.
Talon Lasytchuk, 20, has since been charged with causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal under the Criminal Code, and causing an animal to be in distress and failure to provide adequate shelter, ventilation or space under the Animal Protection Act.
Pattison said like abuse of another person, abuse of an animal can come in many forms, including neglect, failing to provide the necessities of life, physical and emotional.
“Humans or animals, it’s a criminal offence,” he said. “We will respond and if those allegations are proven, you could see jail time, if not fines.”