The SPCA is investigating after a dog was found frozen to death outside a home in North Preston two days before Christmas.
Halifax RCMP officers and members of the SPCA responded to the Simmonds Road home on Dec. 23 after receiving a complaint about a deceased dog.
The Nova Scotia SPCA’s chief investigative officer says the female American Staffordshire terrier was found inside a dog house on the property.
David Ross says the animal had been tied up and was frozen to the ground.
“It was shackled with a big chain and I had to use an ice pick to break the animal from the ground so we could retrieve the body,” says Ross.
“It’s always very distressing to see anything like this. Our mind can jump to speculation but all we know is there was an animal dead inside a kennel, and it happened to be a very, very cold day.”
A necropsy will be completed by the Department of Agriculture to determine a cause of death.
The test results will help the SPCA determine whether to lay charges or turn the case over to police.
“Based on the evidence that is factual, we will be going forward and our first priority would be to talk to the people that were responsible for the care of this animal and from that point, depending on what they say and the evidence we have, we may or may not proceed with charges,” says Ross.
Tiffany Sullivan of the Dartmouth-based Homeward Bound City Pound says if it’s too cold for people to be outside, it’s too cold for pets to be outside too.
“Just like people, pets are extremely susceptible to the cold. Frost bite is a big factor and, you know, if they’re out there long enough, pets can die in this weather,” says Sullivan.
“So, it’s really important to make sure you’re aware of how cold it is and how long you keep your pets outdoors.”
Ross says anyone who is concerned about an animal left in the cold should contact the SPCA immediately.
“If you see an animal, if you see it in distress, if you see it out in cold temperatures, please call us and we will respond.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Alyse Hand
