Police find 19 dead dogs on New Harbour property, lay animal cruelty charges

A 52-year-old man from Ontario was arrested on Monday andaccused of animal cruelty after police found 19 dead dogs, some of them puppies, at aresidence in New Harbour where the man was staying.

The RCMP said officers arrived at the home shortly before 7 p.m. after receiving a report of a gunshot in the back yard of the property. Police say the home owner approached officers and told them the man was staying in a vehicle in the backyard.

Police seized a firearm at the property, alongside two living dogs that "required care," the RCMPsaid in a press release Wednesday.

The two dogs were handed over to the SPCA.

Police say the chief veterinary officer with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture's animal health division is involved in the investigation.

The Ontario man has been released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later dateon one count of careless use of a firearm and 19counts of animal cruelty.

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