Two Charged With Animal Cruelty After Calls to OHS to Report Alleged Dog Beatings 

OHS agents charged two people in separate cases of alleged animal cruelty after witnesses reported seeing the pair beating their dogs.

In the first case, witnesses told OHS agents they saw a woman yelling at and slapping her cowering Jack Russell at a dog park on Aug. 5. The terrier was whimpering on the ground when it was allegedly repeatedly hit two different times that day.

Jennifer Sarazin has been charged with two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. She is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 22.

In the second case, witnesses told OHS agents they saw a man chocking, kicking, punching and screaming at his dog on July 17 and again on July 18. After a picture of the suspect was posted on Crime Stoppers and the OHS Facebook account, witnesses came forward to identify the man. 

Steven Dean is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 6.

Record-Breaking Year for Calls to the OHS to Rescue Dogs From Hot Cars

The numbers are in and they paint a troubling picture: more calls than ever to the OHS to rescue dogs left in hot cars.

The increase was nearly 38 per cent over last year, with 482 calls between April 1 and Sept. 27.

“Were there more animals being left in sweltering cars this past summer or were more people aware of the danger and reporting it?” asked Insp. Miriam Smith, OHS Rescue and Investigation Services manager. “We’re hoping the increase is because our community has gotten the message and called for help when they saw a dog alone in a car in the hot weather.”

Regardless of the cause, the increase in calls means this is still a very serious problem in Ottawa, Smith said.

“These are people playing Russian roulette with their pet’s life,” she said. “Even though we’re headed into the cold weather now, it will be spring then summer again before you know it. We have to get the message out there now so everyone is aware of the threat this poses to animal lives,” she said.

OHS agents laid four charges this season, a drop from seven the year before. This decrease is because more witnesses are quickly taking matters into their own hands, paging owners in big box stores or even removing the animal themselves before agents arrive to help and collect evidence, Smith said.

Though the season to rescue dogs from hot cars has come to a close, this year alone, OHS agents will answer more than 1,600 emergency calls to save for animals in need — 365 days a year. Help OHS agents be there to rescue the next animal crying out for help.

Warm Hearts Raffle – Tickets Available Now!

Help raise money for the animals by purchasing OHS Warm Hearts Raffle Tickets.Tickets are a great deal at $5 each or five for $20. First prize is $5,000, second prize is $2,000 and the third prize is $1,000. The raffle draw date is Feb. 12, 2016. Purchase tickets before Jan. 8, 2016, for a chance to win a Sony 48” HD LED TV! Click here for information on how to purchase tickets!