Elgin OPP are investigating a pair of dog incidents in Sparta that resulted in the deaths of two cats. On May 16 and again on June 6, police responded to complaints of two dogs running at large. In both cases the dogs entered a property and attacked a cat, and each time the cat succumbed to their injuries. OPP have been unable to locate the dog owners and the investigation is ongoing.
In the May 16 incident, two dogs were running at large near the Éva Circé-Côté French Immersion Public School. They entered a property on Sparta Line and attacked a cat which succumbed to its injuries.
On June 6, Elgin OPP received a report two dogs entered a property on North Street and attacked a cat. This cat also succumbed to injuries.
In both incidents, the dogs were described as:
Dog 1: possibly an Akita breed with white and fluffy fur
Dog 2: possibly a Burmese Mountain Dog breed with longer brown scruffy unkempt fur
Elgin OPP remind all dog owners to be familiar with the Dog Owners’ Liability Act. Under this act, the owner of a dog shall exercise reasonable precautions to prevent it from biting or attacking a person or domestic animal; or from behaving in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of the public.
Further, the owner of a dog could be liable if the dog bites or attacks another person or domestic animal. Please ensure that you are able to maintain control of your dog at all times to prevent any potential injuries to others or to the dog itself.
If anyone has information regarding the incident or the identity of the person(s) involved, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at https://stthomascrimestoppers.ca/ where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
