Guard dog's frozen body discovered in N.S.

[Cathy1]

CBC News
A Nova Scotia man is demanding answers from the SPCA after he found a dog's frozen body near his home on Wednesday night.


Joe Bona of Barrachois Mountain in Cape Breton said a guard dog for a local construction site was chained up outside in freezing temperatures.

"The dog was at the end of the chain, frozen to the ground, and I took sick to my stomach and I'm still sick to my stomach over what I seen," he told CBC News.

Bona said he first saw the dog nearly two years ago when he was walking his own dogs at night. He said he contacted the SPCA because he felt the bullmastiff did not have food, water or proper shelter.

"You can't save all the dogs," said Bona. "But there's something could have been done about that dog."

Kristin Williams, the executive director of the Nova Scotia SPCA, said inspectors had been checking on the dog regularly since 2007. The most recent inspection was just before Christmas last year.

Williams said the owner had been meeting the minimum standards of care for the animal.

Bona - who had gone to check on the dog because of the recent cold snap - said the animal deserved better.

"We found him curled up in a pile there," he said. "All the snow that was under him, he melted down into the dirt and that's where he met his demise. Right there, in the snow.

"It's unexplainable that somebody would leave their dog in that situation knowing the temperatures and knowing the shape the dog was in."

Williams said the SCPA is waiting for an autopsy to determine the cause of death and whether charges are warranted.

Attempts to contact the owner of the property on Thursday were unsuccessful.

[Kay9]

I have no words.

Just tears and an all-consuming rage.

[chico2]

Yes,it sure is a sad world we live in
If there is any comfort,the poor dog probably felt no pain,once he was asleep.
The SPCA certainly had a responsibility there,minimal care,is just not good enough

[Love4himies]

Just no words to say how I feel.

[luckypenny]

What I don't get is how some people expect their dogs to guard while on a chain. All a thief/burglar/vandal has to do is walk around it. We have neighbors around here who chain their dogs to dog houses and have signs up, "Beware Of Guard Dog." I honestly haven't met anyone yet who'd want to steal a dog house .

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by Cathy1

Williams said the owner had been meeting the minimum standards of care for the animal.



Williams said the SCPA is waiting for an autopsy to determine the cause of death and whether charges are warranted.

Not only the owner MUST be charge but the SPCA also they are suppose to protect animals ! And they knew about this one

and imagine the ones we don't hear about ....

Originally Posted by luckypenny

What I don't get is how some people expect their dogs to guard while on a chain. All a thief/burglar/vandal has to do is walk around it. We have neighbors around here who chain their dogs to dog houses and have signs up, "Beware Of Guard Dog." I honestly haven't met anyone yet who'd want to steal a dog house .

Exactly LP , if people want to rob the house , they can get in no problem , those chains never go up to the house anyway

[hazelrunpack]

I hope they find some charges that will stick. That poor dog!!!