Toronto man accused of abusing his dog arrested at the border

A Toronto Police Services logo is shown at headquarters, in Toronto, on Friday, August 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

A 25-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty after posting videos online allegedly threatening his dog.

Toronto police said they were notified about the incident on Aug. 16.

In one of the videos, a woman was allegedly heard telling the man to stop hitting the dog, which was heard crying in the background.

The man, identified as Lionel Howse, was arrested by Canadian Border Patrol officers on Wednesday as he was returning from the United States, police said.

He has been charged with uttering threats/animals or birds and willfully causing unnecessary pain or suffering or injury to an animal or bird.

Police said the dog would have been taken by animal services but there is no information on its condition.

Police are asking anyone with further information about their investigation to contact them at 416-808-1400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).