Animal cruelty alleged
Chestermere, AB (CA)Incident Date: Wednesday, Apr 1, 2009
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Tom Bilski
Upcoming Court Dates:
» Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A Chestermere area man faces charges of animal abuse against two dogs after witnesses called the RCMP, authorities said yesterday.
Sgt. Patrick Webb said while they can't get into details about the incident, he says the alleged abuse involves a quad and two larger mixed-breed dogs.
"We're still talking to witnesses and we don't want them to be persuaded by what they hear ... The dogs are doing well," Webb said, adding the animals will not be returned to the owner.
Animal activist Heather Anderson said she heard few details about the case.
"I'm happy someone at least took into their own hands to call the RCMP," Anderson said.
Tom Bilski, 27, is set to appear in Strathmore Provincial Court on May 5.
Case UpdatesA farmer east of Calgary facing an animal cruelty charge says he was saving his dogs from coyotes when someone called police alleging he'd harmed the pets.
The RCMP charged Tom Piotr Bilski, 28, with causing unnecessary harm to animals, alleging he'd used an all-terrain vehicle to harm his two dogs on Monday.
But Bilski said Wednesday he was simply using the quad to shepherd his long-haired border collie, Asia, and black lab pup, Biggie, to safety after they'd been surrounded by coyotes on his acreage near Chestermere.
"I was saving their lives," he said.
"It's the biggest misunderstanding that I've ever seen."
Bilski said the incident happened Monday afternoon after he heard coyotes baying in the field outside his house.
Bilski got onto his quad and found a small pack of coyotes around his pets, he said.
After chasing off the coyotes with the quad, Bilski said he rode back to the house with the dogs leashed alongside the vehicle, guiding them as he went.
"I wasn't even that close to them," he said.
Someone called the RCMP, who went to the property, took away the dogs and laid the charge against Bilski.
The dogs were being examined by a veterinarian and were in the care of authorities.
RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb said the dogs have scrapes but no broken limbs.
Bilski, who is not in custody, is scheduled to appear in Strathmore provincial court on May 5. He is bound by conditions banning him from contact or possession of animals. | Source: Calgary Herald - April 2, 2009
Update posted on Apr 2, 2009 - 1:21PM |
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