Dead dog left in Coquitlam dumpster, SPCA investigating
The SPCA is asking for the public's help finding two people who put a dead dog into a Coquitlam, B.C., dumpster last month.
It happened on July 26 on 68 Schooner Street, outside an industrial building just west of the Port Mann Bridge. Security footage shows a light-coloured minivan pulling up behind the building, followed by two people throwing the dog into the dumpster.
A necropsy shows the dog, a tan and white female boxer-cross, likely died from extreme heat exposure.
"We are hoping someone will recognize the individuals or the vehicle seen in the security footage we have obtained so that we can determine conclusively how the dog died and why she was discarded like garbage," said Eileen Drever, senior animal protection officer for the B.C. SPCA.
The dog, which was between nine and 12 months old, was also wearing a blue and grey collar and a red and black leash.
Anyone with information about the owner is asked to call the B.C. SPCA at 1-855-622-7722.
Cause of death more important than dog's disposal
Lorie Chortyk, the SPCA's general manager of community relations, says they're most concerned about what prompted the death, rather than how the dog was disposed.
"We're not sure the actual circumstances, so we're really looking for anyone who knows anything about who may own the dog, or who knows how the dog died, so we can follow up," she said.
"There may be a perfectly reasonable explanation of how this happened, and then that would be fine. But if there is a case of neglect or any kind of deliberate cruelty of the dog, we definitely would be looking at charges."
While Chortyk stressed it's not known if the dog was left in a car, the B.C. SPCA has received over 1,000 calls since May from people who have witnessed such incidents.
"Unfortunately, people aren't getting the message and are still leaving their pets in vehicles if they run in to do shopping. But the good part is more and more people are aware of it and reporting these cases as soon as possible."
