On February 7, 2018, Lynn Lake RCMP were made aware by members of the community that some dogs were locked up in a house located in Black Sturgeon Falls First Nation, Manitoba. It was reported that the owner had been gone for several weeks. When officers attended the residence, they found a mother dog and her five puppies had been locked up. Two of the puppies were deceased.
Police say that after burying the two deceased puppies, officers took the mother dog and the two live puppies back to the Lynn Lake RCMP Detachment, where they were provided with food and water. It was learned the fifth puppy had been rescued by someone in the community, but that puppy also died. At this point in the investigation, it is believed that the dogs were left in the house in a dark bedroom for approximately three weeks. They had no access to food or water and all the dogs contracted a bacterial skin infection.
RCMP report that Cst. Lindsay Evans of the Lynn Lake RCMP took the dogs home with her and gave them a bath. Due to the mother dog’s starvation, she was unable to produce enough milk for her puppies, so Cst. Evans made sure they all received the food and milk they needed. The following day, the dogs were taken by RCMP to Northern Manitoba Paws in Need in Thompson.
“The conditions these dogs survived in were pretty horrific,” said Sgt. Kyle McFadyen, Lynn Lake RCMP Detachment Commander. “When we first opened the door, I wasn’t sure what we were going to find. I’m glad we got there in time to save some of them. For a dog who had obviously not received much care and affection, the mother dog was friendly with us when we got there – almost like she knew we were there to help.”
The Province of Manitoba Chief Veterinary Office is assisting with this ongoing investigation. RCMP officers are considered animal protection officers under the authority of the Animal Care Act. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lynn Lake RCMP at 204-356-8862 or Manitoba CrimeStoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES(274637).
