Teen charged after puppies killed

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This article was published 13/07/2023 (1143 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 13-year-old has been charged with animal cruelty after the discovery of several dead puppies at Mosakahiken Cree Nation in northern Manitoba last week.

Moose Lake RCMP say their investigation found that 10 youths between the ages of nine and 13 were hurting several puppies in a park before being chased away by a community member early July 6.

RCMP were notified the following day after someone found a dead puppy hanging from a stop sign. Officers at the location were given three deceased puppies by a community member. A fourth one was discovered after officers searched the area.

Only the 13-year-old was charged because under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, children under 12 cannot be charged with a criminal offence.

RCMP media relations officer Tara Seel said Thursday officers are working closely with the chief and council to ensure those who encountered the dead animals have access to resources and support.

“It was a very unpleasant experience that could be very traumatizing,” Seel said. “The officers that responded to this call were very affected by it. It was a pretty horrific incident.”

Katie Powell, founder of Save A Dog Network Canada, first heard reports of animal cruelty in the community last week, after she was sent a disturbing photo of a dead puppy hanging from a stop sign.

Powell, who has encountered many cases of animal cruelty and neglect, described this incident as “extremely abnormal.”

“There’s a lot of unnecessary suffering going on like injuries or sicknesses that go left untreated, but this type of behaviour is definitely abnormal,” Powell said.

In an Instagram post last week, the organization offered a $500 reward to an individual who came forward with the names of the suspects. Eventually, someone came forward with three possible names.

Since its founding in 2013, Save a Dog Network Canada has connected with 30-plus First Nations, shelters and rescues to provide veterinary services, dog food and educational opportunities.

After a decade of doing such work, Powell believes the neglect of dogs and lack of resources available for pet owners in the north reflects a larger issue.

“I think that (dogs) are a big symptom of this complete lack of support for the north,” Powell said. “That’s why we try so hard for the communities, running spay and neuter clinics, and helping these remote areas, because they do deserve better.”

Powell hopes governments recognize the importance of rescue clinics by providing them with funding and resources.

cierra.bettens@freepress.mb.ca