RCMP say no firm evidence of central Alberta dogfighting ring

CLARA HO

While concerned citizens continue to contact Sylvan Lake RCMP about rumours of organized dogfighting incidents in central Alberta, police say they have not received any reports or evidence they can act on.

“Can we say 100 per cent for sure this is not happening? Absolutely not. But at this point, we can’t find any evidence,” said Const. Gord Mar- shall. “We just want to put people at ease.”

He said rumours started spreading through the central Alberta town in late March about large-breed dogs being stolen from yards or strays being picked up along the side of the road and forced into dogfighting.

Soon, the detachment was receiving — and continues to receive — at least two to three calls a day from residents, many of them citing a Kijiji ad they had seen featuring a photo of a mutilated dog and a warning to pet owners that dogs were being stolen to be pitted against each other.

Other Kijiji ads with similar messages and images started popping up and warnings soon started to “spread like wildfire” on the Facebook pages of animal shelters and rescue groups, Marshall said.

He said the RCMP eventually tracked down the individual, a Sylvan Lake resident, who posted the Kijiji ad and have spoken with him.

“He was a concerned citizen who had heard this rumour (from a reliable source), was wondering why anyone hadn’t done anything about it, and put the ad on Kijiji,” Marshall said. “He’s a dog owner, a dog lover and he was concerned. There was no ill intent on his behalf.”

Marshall said the photo was not taken in Sylvan Lake but had been grabbed from the Internet. The ad has since been removed.

He reminded citizens that tips are welcome but they must also include specific dates, locations and incidents for police to be able to investigate. RCMP continues to work with bylaw officers in the town of Sylvan Lake, he added.

The Alberta SPCA opened a file after receiving a number of calls, “but there’s nothing in it that’s really actionable so far,” said spokesman Roland Lines.