Dog stolen, abandoned at roadside
Moncton, NB (CA)Incident Date: Thursday, Feb 28, 2008
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: James Robin Peterson
A Moncton man has been charged with animal cruelty after a stolen puppy was dumped during a police chase and left outside in frigid temperatures for more than an hour.
The owner of Brenda's Bowtique, where the dog was stolen, says he's glad to hear police laid the cruelty charge.
"I certainly support that charge and I hope the judge throws the book at him," says Ross Mullins.
The Thursday night incident is the third dog theft since the store opened at 771 Mountain Road in December. Mullins says this goes on in other areas as well and he hears it's junkies trying to sell expensive animals for drug money. The 10-week-old Pomeranian that was stolen retails for $800.
Mullins says security measures at the store are being increased to combat this trend.
The owner wasn't working Thursday night and there was only one female employee in the store. A man and woman came in and were browsing around when the woman distracted the employee by asking questions about dog food in the back of the store.
The man approached a locked dog run where Holly the Pomeranian was getting some exercise, broke the lock and snatched the dog.
"The dog squealed when he grabbed her and took off," says Mullins. "She was traumatized from the get-go."
The employee started to chase him, but couldn't leave the store unattended. She called 911 and police were already in the area on another matter. Several patrol cars were instantly on the scene and had the suspect in their sights.
"They were in the area and got there before he went very far," says Mullins, who was full of praise for the Mounties' speedy response.
As officers chased the suspect, he tossed the dog away. He was eventually caught and agreed to lead police to where he ditched the tiny dog.
By the time they found Holly, she was wandering around a house, not too far from the store. Mullins estimates she was out in the cold for more than an hour, on a night when temperatures dropped below -16 C.
That's a long time for any dog to be outside, let alone a 10-week old puppy who's never spent much time outside.
"When she came back inside, she was all shaking and shivering and cold and stressed," says Mullins. "If the RCMP didn't find her, she wouldn't have survived the night."
All the employees at the store were upset about what happened and worried about the dog. When she was returned, she wasn't lacking for attention.
"Everyone had to cuddle her so she was handed around for about a half hour," he says. "She's a very cute dog and very mild-mannered. To treat her like that is just terrible."
James Robin Peterson appeared in Moncton provincial court yesterday morning and was charged with theft and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The Crown objected to his release and he was remanded until a bail hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
Police are still investigating and may lay charges against a woman in connection with this case. References
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