Ont. man faces animal cruelty charges after dogs found in cold car

An undated police image of an Ontario Provincial Police cruiser in a rural area. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

Ontario Provincial Police in northwestern Ontario have charged a 25-year-old man following an investigation into alleged animal cruelty and breach of court conditions.

The incident began at about 2 a.m. on Saturday, when the Nipigon OPP detachment received information that an individual might be breaching court-ordered release conditions.

“During the investigation, officers located two short-haired boxer breed dogs inside an unheated vehicle,” police said in a news release.

OPP said that the outside temperature was approximately -18 C at the time and officers determined the dogs had been left in the vehicle for more than two hours.

“The suspect was later located at a residence they had been ordered by the court not to attend,” said police.

As a result of the investigation, a man with no fixed address was charged cruelty to animals - causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury and two counts of failing to comply with a release order.

The accused was remanded into custody pending a future court date.

Dogs unharmed

Police confirmed the welfare of the animals involved.

“The dogs are being cared for by a local resident,” said OPP.

Police added that both dogs appeared unharmed.

OPP are asking anyone with information that can assist with this investigation to contact them at 1-888-310-1122.

Information regarding animal neglect or abuse can reported to the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre at 1-833-926-4625 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

RELATED STORIES:

• Ont. man charged after police find 9 dead goats on his property
• North Bay court fines two people $25K each for animal welfare offences
• Northern Ont. woman fined for animal welfare offences
• Three dogs shot and killed in northern Ont., police investigating
• Three charged in animal cruelty investigation after puppies found dead in northern Ont. last spring