Dog beaten to death, man in custody
By Observer Staff
Updated 2 hours ago
A 26-year-old Sarnia man has been arrested for allegedly beating a dog to death with baseball bat in front of witnesses, city police say.
Police responded at 3 p.m. Thursday after several 911 calls were received about a man kicking and beating a dog with a bat in the 400 block of Kathleen Avenue.
When officers arrived they found a small Jack Russell terrier-type dog that was already dead.
"The dog was on a chain when he was beating it," said Const. Heather Emmons, of the Sarnia Police Service.
Sources within the man's family say the incident was triggered after the dog bit his year-and-a-half-old daughter.
The girl was treated and released at hospital.
With the help of witnesses, police arrested the suspect near the scene.
The man, who is a neighbour and not the dog's owner, is being held in custody.
Emmons said children were among the residents who witnessed the attack.
Anyone who was at the scene who requires assistance from Victim Services is encouraged to call 519-344-8861 , ext. 5238.
Animal cruelty is not uncommon, but a dog killed in broad daylight in a residential neighbourhood with people watching is rare, Emmons said.
A woman who is friends with both families said it was a "horrible accident." The neighbouring families are friends, she said.
"I know both families and they're great people. I have nothing bad to say about either of them."
People gathered around the scene after the incident. One of the dog's owners, a 12-year-old boy, cradled it in his arms after it died, said the woman, who declined to give her name.
"He picked it up and said, 'I love you Teddy.'"
Kathleen Street was still abuzz hours later, with residents sitting outside talking about the incident.
The man was still in custody Thursday evening but charges had not been laid, police said.
With files from Shawn Jeffords
http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDis...KN3Jk;********
Bookmarks