A BC SPCA cruelty investigator is seeking the public’s help regarding the shooting death of a three-year-old Akita mix dog named Axl.
The animal was allegedly shot somewhere between the 1,000 block of Waneta-Nelway Road and the Pend d’Oreille area above the hydro campground between Sept. 3 and Sept. 7.
According to his Trail owner, Axl was a mellow dog who loved kids and was non-aggressive.
Though Jeremy Irons, special provincial constable animal protection officer, has identified a “person of interest,” he is looking for witnesses to crack the case.
The dog ran off on Sept. 3 while camping in the Pend d’Oreille with his owner, who spent the days that followed searching for his pet. He was told through word of mouth on Sept. 7 that Axl had been shot.
“As a result of this rumoured information, the owner contacted this person of interest and the person of interest had the dog’s collar returned to the dog owner’s house,” said Irons. “This may be criminal and it may not be but until I find out the circumstances, I can’t make that call.”
Under the Cruelty to Animals Act or the Criminal Code of Canada it is against the law to kill an animal without lawful excuse.
“The question is what happened to cause the animal to be shot and was that kind of force required?” added Irons.
Anyone with information about this shooting should contact Irons at 250-427-0036.