SPA investigation into Stanstead dog at a standstill

The Société pour la protection des Animaux (SPA) Estrie’s investigation into the complaint about a dog in Stanstead that was allegedly left outside to freeze to death during the extreme cold between Christmas and New Years is at a halt because of no tangible evidence or viable witnesses, spokesperson Geneviève Cloutier said.

“The complainants were well-intentioned, but they were not real witnesses,” Cloutier said, explaining that no one who saw the dog in question with their own eyes has come forward.

The complaint was filed by community members who had learned of the situation through second and third hand accounts, none of which the SPA can confirm without evidence.

The unofficial report of the alleged abuse first circulated on Facebook, suggesting that an owner left her dog outside and went out of town during the extreme cold snap during the holidays. It was said that her son went by after a few days to check on the dog and found that it had died, likely due to the cold.

Cloutier was unable to share the details of the investigation. What she could say, however, was the person thought to have been the owner of the dog was interviewed.

While on the premises, SPA investigators were able to confirm there had been a dog on the premises, but they did not see a dog, living or dead, while there.

“We don’t have a body,” Cloutier said. “We don’t have enough proof to go further.” She added that there was no dog registered through the municipality to the property owner.

“The law is the law,” Cloutier explained. In order for the investigation to continue, an eye witness would need to confirm that the dog had died. The SPA would then need to determine if the cause of death was the result of negligence and related to extreme cold.

“This situation was supposed to have taken place between Christmas and New Years. We only heard about it on January 8 or 9,” Cloutier said, adding that if people knew the dog was left out in the cold they should have called the SPA immediately.

“Even if you’re not sure it’s better to call,” Cloutier said. Even if everything is fine, at least the SPA was able to confirm the well-being of an animal, she said.

“Everything is confidential,” Cloutier stressed. “People shouldn’t hesitate to contact us.”

Anyone who would like to report animal abuse or offer information about the incident in question is asked to contact the SPA at 819 821-4727 ext. 5.

Animal abuse can also be reported by calling the Quebec Animal Abuse line at 844-264-6289.