Ross Martin charged in C.B.S. pit bull animal cruelty case

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has charged and arrested a 35-year-old Conception Bay South man in connection with an animal cruelty investigation after seven pit bull dogs were seized from an abandoned property in Upper Gullies in 2013.

Ross Martin, 35, has been charged with causing damage or injury and causing unnecessary suffering under the Criminal Code of Canada.

He also faces additional charges under the Animal Health and Protection Act. Those charges include an owner permitting an animal to be in distress and failure to keep a dog safely tethered or penned. Martin faces 33 charges in total.

Martin was arrested May 13. 

The dogs were rescued on Dec. 13, 2013, after a resident complained to the town council of hearing whining and yelping from the house, but did not see any human activity on the property. 

The animals were taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment, and were expected to make a full recovery. Dozens of people approached humane services in Conception Bay South about adopting one or more of the dogs.

The new provincial act has given municipalities, such as Conception Bay South, the right to seize animals in suspected cases of cruelty or neglect. 

Martin is scheduled to appear in court on June 19.