Animal Welfare rescues dog after video appears to show animal being abused by owner in Dundas

Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) has taken a dog after videos surfaced of a man allegedly whipping and dragging it while on a walk in the town of Dundas in Hamilton. 

Hamilton police said in a news release the dog was removed "without incident" and that PAWS is still investigating. 

Distraught neighbours captured video of the man allegedly dragging the dog by its leash on June 30. In the video, a man is seen using the leash to whip the dog, while shouting at concerned bystanders. 

The video made the rounds on social media and was reported to Hamilton police.

WARNING: Some viewers may find this video disturbing:

Man appears to whip dog and drag it down Hamilton sidewalk, videos show

1 year ago

Duration 0:48

Residents in the Dundas area of Hamilton are distraught after watching a man whip a dog and drag it down the sidewalk. They recorded the videos on their phone.

In an email, Hamilton police said the service "does not investigate animal cruelty," but said they "provided assistance during a search warrant that was executed by PAWS in our jurisdiction."

PAWS told CBC Hamilton in an email that it has "launched an investigation and no charges have been laid at this point."

Animal welfare advocate says removal isn't enough

Despite the dog being taken by PAWS, Ashley DaSilva, founder of Fur Warriors, a volunteer-based animal rescue group in Hamilton, says this is "not a win. It's not a win at all." 

DaSilva said she believes the dog will likely end up back in the home of its abuser because no charges have been filed.

Under section 44 of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, animals seized by PAWS will be returned if "a charge is not laid at the conclusion of the investigation" or if "a charge is laid but when the charge is finally disposed of, the defendant is acquitted or the charge is dismissed or withdrawn."

Both Hamilton police and PAWS can lay charges under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.

This means that if the man is not charged or if his charges are dismissed, the dog he allegedly whipped and dragged will be returned to him. 

DaSilva said in her experience, "Almost 90 per cent of the time the family gets the dog back."