A 20-year-old Windsor man is in custody after police say he killed a dog in a south Walkerville park.
Officers were called to Optimist Memorial Park near Gladstone Avenue and Somme Avenue around 7:20 a.m. Wednesday morning for a report of an injured male dog.
Police say they were contacted by a witness after observing a suspect on top of a dog on a path that leads into the park.
Officers attended the scene and say they saw the suspect straddled around a tan, brown, and white dog.
Police saw a large amount of blood in the area of the dog's neck and chest. Officers ordered the suspect to get up. He was arrested without incident.
“It's disturbing obviously," says Sgt. Matt D’Asti.
Police transported the dog to a local animal hospital on Walker Road. Staff at the hospital worked on the animal for 45 minutes. Despite their efforts, the dog succumbed to his injuries.
The dog sustained numerous cuts and lacerations to his neck and chest.
The Windsor man is charged with killing an animal.
Lawyer Helen Burgess specializes in animal cruelty cases and says jail terms can range anywhere from 18 months to five years, depending on if it is a first time offense.
"If you're convicted of that type of offense you're facing significant jail time or significant fines or both," says Burgess.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4305, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS), online at www.catchcrooks.com, or Submit a Tip on Facebook.
