Saanich police seek man over animal-welfare dispute, assault
Saanich police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man allegedly involved in an assault connected to a dispute about animal abuse.
Ted Penston was walking through Bryden Park in Royal Oak about 4:15 p.m. Tuesday when he saw a man choking a dog.
“He had it in a chokehold and he started walking through the park and he’d throw it on the ground and kick it a couple of times,” Penston told CHEK News. “Then he’d pick it up again. He must have kicked him six or seven times.”
Penston said he was assaulted after confronting the man.
“He threw a punch at me and it just missed my head,” he said. “I just lost my balance and hit the ground and then he booted me in the guts.”
Several people told police they saw the man get into a car with the dog and drive away, then return a short time later to retrieve another dog.
Police have released a photo of the man, who is described as white, five-foot-10 and heavyset with short dark hair. He was wearing a light grey T-shirt, jeans and black shoes and had a tattoo on his right bicep. He left in a dark blue Volkswagen Golf four-door sedan.
The first dog involved is medium-sized with a black spot on one eye.
Penston said he is doing fine. “One of the little girls came to my house last night with a little letter she made up and thanked me for looking out for the dog and sticking up for it,” he said.
Police ask anyone with information to call them at 250-475-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).