Person responsible for stabbing of dog at Toronto park was the owner who reported incident, police say

In this file photo, police tape is shown in Toronto on May 2, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy (Graeme Roy/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Toronto police say a man who reported the stabbing of his dog at a park Tuesday afternoon has been arrested as he is allegedly the person responsible for the attack.

Officers were initially called to the area of Yonge Street and Ramsden Park Road, located nearby Rosedale Station, a few minutes before 4:15 p.m.

Police said the owner told them that a man armed with two knives stabbed his dog several times while they were out for a walk.

The dog was rushed to a veterinary hospital, where police say it is now in stable condition and expected to recover from its injuries.

Police initially put out a description of the purported suspect, saying he is a Black man who stood six feet tall and wearing a black puffy jacket and a blue surgical mask.

Hours later, police revealed that the dog’s owner was arrested. They said further investigation had determined the owner allegedly made a false statement and was the person responsible for the stabbing.

Police added that he was being charged with various offences.