A pair of separate but similar animal complaints have led the Elgin County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to seek out the owner of two large dogs.
Police say that on May 16, police were called to the area of Éva Circé-Côté French Immersion Public School in Central Elgin where two large dogs were running loose. Before officers arrived, the animals reportedly attacked a cat on a Sparta Line property nearby, which succumbed to its injuries.
The owner of the cat was notified of what happened, but police were unable to locate the dogs or anyone responsible for them.
A few weeks later, police received reports of an almost identical incident at another Central Elgin residence. Two large dogs had allegedly entered a property, this time on North Street, and fatally attacked another cat.
In both of these incidents, one of the dogs is believed to be a Bernese Mountain Dog with long, scruffy, unkempt brown fur. The other is possibly an Akita with white, fluffy fur.
As investigations continue, Elgin County OPP officers are looking for the owner of these dogs.
If you have information regarding either of these incidents or can identify the animals or owner involved, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
"The Elgin County OPP would like to take this opportunity to remind all dog owners to be familiar with the Dog Owners' Liability Act. Under this act, the owner of a dog shall exercise reasonable precautions to prevent it from biting or attacking a person or domestic animal; or from behaving in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of the public," said a statement from police. "Further, the owner of a dog could be liable if the dog bites or attacks another person or domestic animal. Please ensure that you are able to maintain control of your dog at all times to prevent any potential injuries to others or to the dog itself."
