Animal cruelty and vandalism investigated in Magog

The Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Memphremagog Police has opened an investigation into a case of animal cruelty and vandalism in a Magog residence.

According to Memphremagog Police spokesperson Sylvain Guay, the case began when a couple in their twenties rented a house on Stanley St. in Magog last December. They then brought six dogs into the home. A few weeks ago, the couple left the house and occasionally came back to partially feed the animals, a police investigation indicates.

On February 21, 2018, a Memphremagog Police investigator, a representative of the Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) and the landlord visited the house that had by then been abandoned by the tenants.

On site, the three found that the floors had been extremely damaged by dog urine and feces and a freezer left in place contained two dead Pitt Bulls that looked to have been very malnourished. The other animals were no longer there.

The investigation for animal cruelty was opened in collaboration with the SPA that is looking into the circumstances that led to the deaths of the dogs.

The Memphremagog Police have also opened an investigation into the sudden damage to the house that amounts to several thousand dollars.

The investigation continues and arrests are expected in this case. In addition to potential criminal charges by the SPA, violations of municipal bylaws are also being contemplated.