A 34-year-old man is facing multiple charges following an investigation into alleged animal cruelty incidents that started in January, according to the Ottawa Police Service.
The investigation started when a veterinarian clinic reached out to Animal Welfare Services, raising concerns about the well-being of animals belonging to the suspect who lives in Jasper, Ont., 94 kilometres from Ottawa.
“The subsequent investigation revealed additional veterinary clinics concerned with the well-being of other animals,” police said in a news release Thursday.
Police note that in October 2024, Animal Welfare Services had previously seized an animal from the same suspect.
The Ottawa Police Tactical Unit, Drug Unit, Ontario Provincial Police, and Provincial Animal Welfare Service executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home in Jasper, Ont. and located four deceased dogs and one dog showing signs of neglect within the home. Police also seized drugs, drug paraphernalia and cash from the home. The search warrant was executed without incident.
The 34-year-old man was charged with four counts of willfully causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal, six counts of possession of schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a schedule three substance for the purpose of trafficking, failure to comply with a release order.
He appeared in court on Monday and remains in custody until a next court date.
Anyone with information about animal cruelty is asked to call the West Criminal Investigations Section at 613-236-1222, extension 2666, or leave a tip anonymously at crimestoppers.ca.
