RCMP examine deaths of 5 dogs just before SPCA seizure

RCMP are investigating the deaths of five dogs that were about to be removed from a property in Minto, N.B., by the local humane society.

The Society for the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals, accompanied by the central New Brunswick village animal control officer, were conducting an inspection of the property on Thursday when the dead dogs were found, said the police.

Keith Barton had applied for a licence for Pet Me Kennel, said animal protection officer David Lynch, and a follow-up inspection was being conducted after he had been told to clean up the property.

It was determined that the property still didn't meet kennel standards when a puppy and its mother were found on soiled, wet blankets, Lynch said.

No charges possible if animals died humanely

Barton was playing with the dogs in the yard as the 11 Pomeranians began to be seized, Lynch said. The protection officer said he noticed Barton takings dogs into a shed and thought he was looking for privacy to say goodbye to the animals.

"When he came out of the shed, he put on a coat. He sat on a chair on his back step, and he never said a word ," Lynch said. "I went into the shed to take the animals, and that's when I discovered that … they were dead."

Five of the dogs inside the shed were dead and one was seriously injured, Lynch said.

He then called the RCMP, and Barton was arrested. He was later released. No charges have been laid.

Police said they are investigating to determine how the dogs died. Charges cannot be laid if it is shown that the animals died in a humane manner.

"We're still waiting to hear back from the SPCA on cause of death, and we'll go from there," said Cpl. Mike Beauchamp.

Barton told CBC News that the dogs were killed humanely.

The dog that was injured is recovering at a veterinary hospital.