THUNDER BAY -- A dead dog found near the Northwood playfield has officials with the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society deeply concerned.
Inspector Jeremy Gardiner said residents on the evening of Sept. 16 heard a dog howling nearby. The next day a resident found a female spaniel-type dog’s body in the woods near the field and reported it to the Humane Society on Sept. 18.
It’s a disturbing find, Gardiner said, adding he’s attempting to locate the owner of the dog, which was mostly white in colour with dark spots and was wearing a turquoise collar with no identification.
“Hopefully someone may recognize the dog. Unfortunately we can’t put pictures out because of the heinous crime. It’s not something we want to put out there,” Gardiner said on Tuesday in an interview with CKPR Radio.
“If someone is missing a dog, or someone knows of a dog that fits that description or might be missing, then maybe they’ll come forward and give us a place to start looking.”
Foul play is suspected, Gardiner said.
“The vet did conduct a necropsy report and there were some skull fractures on the dog, so we’ve determined that’s where the foul play came from. It’s nothing we like to deal with,” he said.
If located, the person responsible could face charges under the criminal code and be subjected to considerable jail time, Gardiner said.
“We usually save the criminal code for the most heinous crimes,” he said.
With a suspect still on the loose, Gardiner urged the public to keep an eye out and their dogs in the house when possible.
While this is one of the first cases involving a dog, Gardiner said the Humane Society has dealt with numerous cases involving mutilated cats.
“There have been a few similar killings (of cats), but not in the Northwood area,” Gardiner said. “There are definitely areas of town we have been focusing on.”
It’s too early to say whether or not the cases are related.
Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or the Humane Society at 310-7722
All calls remain anonymous.
