Off-leash dog causes disturbance on Sault-area beach, incident leads to an arrest

An undated promotional photo of a dog running across a beach without a leash. (File photo/Ontario Parks)

A 32-year-old Sault man is facing multiple charges after he and his canine allegedly caused a disturbance at a beach north of the city on Friday.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Aug 2, members of the Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment responded to a complaint about a possibly intoxicated person causing a disturbance with an off-leash dog at a beach on Harmony Beach Road in Goulais River, Ont.

Police did not locate a suspect matching the complainant’s description when they arrived.

“OPP were advised that the dog owner and dog had left the beach area in a white pick-up truck,” said police in a news release.

“Police later observed the southbound pick-up truck on Highway 17 passing vehicles at a high rate of speed and driving dangerously.”

The driver attempted to evade police – however, a short time later officers located the truck in the driveway of a home in the 500 block of Moss Road.

“While police were speaking to the driver, the accused became confrontational with officers and a struggle ensued,” said OPP officials.

As a result of the incident and subsequent investigation, a 32-year-old male was arrested and charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, failing to stop for police and assaulting a peace officer.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court in the Sault on Sept. 23.

None of the accusations has been proven in court.