Police say the surviving beagle that was seized Monday, Jan. 28 from a backyard in Bay Roberts is recovering well, and will eventually be turned over to the SPCA in St. John’s.
Meanwhile, a second beagle that was found deceased on the property may be examined in order to determine the cause of death, though police expect it was due to exposure to the cold.
An RCMP spokesman said the surviving dog was being treated for hypothermia and malnutrition, and will make a full recovery.
The owner of the dogs could face charges under the Animal Health and Protection Act. The investigation is ongoing, and officers were expected to interview the owner today (Jan. 29).
Photos released today by the RCMP show the conditions under which the dogs were being kept. Each dog appears to have been chained to a small wooden shelter, and police say there were no sources of heat or insulation.
In one photo, the surviving dog is seen peaking out through the doorway of its shelter, with the snow around the shelter packed down from the pacing of the dog. In the background, the second shelter is nearly snow-covered, and shows no signs of life.
Police say the deceased dog was discovered just outside its shelter, which was nearly filled with snow.
One officer described the scene as a "clear case" of animal neglect.
