Animal cruelty charges laid

Chevy liked to snuggle up in bed with her owners, chase a tennis ball for hours, and jump up to three metres to try to nibble at a rope tied in a tree.

Although she had only been with her new family since November, they adored the friendly five- yearold border collie- chocolate Lab mix and showered her with love and attention.

But on March 23, her family was horrified to discover their beloved pet dead and partially buried in the backyard of their Renfrew home, her body badly beaten and her neck cut with a knife.

Police say the dog’s slaying was part of a dispute between the owner and a man who at one point had lived at the home, and who now faces charges in connection with the death.

“I’m relieved, I’m quite happy that he is being charged and there is justice for the animal,” said Chevy’s owner, Joe Hossay, as he loaded his belongings into a truck in preparation for a move, adding his family is still devastated by the loss.

According to Hossay, he and the accused, who was subletting the suite to Hossay’s family, had recently been arguing about late rent payments but the matter was eventually resolved.

However, when Hossay and his family returned to their home in the 1400 block of Richland Road N. E. at around 4: 30 p. m. on March 23, they discovered their door had been kicked in. Later, they found Chevy dead in the backyard. There was blood all over the property.

“It looked like a movie,” said Hossay, who immediately contacted police.

A necropsy conducted by the Calgary Humane Society revealed the canine had injuries consistent with being beaten, and had died from a deep cut in its neck.

Acting Staff Sgt. Jason Smith said it’s believed as part of a dispute between two people who, at one point had lived at the residence, the canine was taken from a locked area, badly beaten, killed with a knife and then buried in the yard.

But Smith declined to comment on the motive, how the parties were connected, or any details of the dispute.

Police do not believe any other animals in the community were endangered and call this “a targeted attack.”

Brad Nichols, manager of cruelty investigations with the Calgary Humane Society, said the incident was “graphic and violent” and difficult on him as an investigator and as someone who has empathy for animals.

“Generally speaking, when we have an abuse case that results in death, it’s most often a result of an animal behaviour issue. That doesn’t seem to be the case here,” Nichols said.

“Generally speaking, with these severe abuse cases, you see characteristics like poor anger management coping skills, sometimes mental illness. But I can’t speak to any mental soundness in this case.”

Robert Malcom Nicholson, 34, was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with breaking and entering, mischief to property, obstruction of justice, killing an animal without lawful excuse and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Nicholson was also charged under the Alberta Animal Protection Act with causing an animal to be in distress.

He is expected to appear in court on April 10.

Hossay said Chevy was originally owned by a good friend from school but he had to give the dog away when he moved to a new city. Hossay took Chevy in, and she instantly fit right in, clicking with his wife, three children and two cats.

In addition to their loss, the family is moving to a new home and struggling financially. Friends have set up an online fundraising page to help them get back on their feet.