Man charged following animal abuse investigation by police, Calgary Humane Society

Calgary police have laid charges against a 41-year-old man following a joint investigation with the Calgary Humane Society into "multiple incidents of animal abuse" this year.

On the morning of July 12, Calgary Transit peace officers observed a man on CCTV "striking and kicking his dog" at the Marlborough CTrain station, according to a Wednesday news release.

Police say the man left the scene before officers could locate him. The incident was reported to the Calgary Humane Society but the man was not identified at the time.

Then, earlier this month, police said the same man was seen on CCTV at the City Hall CTrain station on Dec. 9, striking his dog several times.

Calgary Transit peace officers detained the man and seized the dog, which was placed in the care of the Calgary Humane Society. Police said the man was given conditions to regain ownership but failed to meet them and the dog was forfeited.

"The dog is safe and remains under the ownership of the Calgary Humane Society," police said.

In the late afternoon of Dec. 16, police said the man entered the Calgary Humane Society property and "stole the dog from a volunteer dog walker."

Peace officers detained him until police arrived on the scene. The man was arrested, charged with theft under $5,000, and ordered to stay away from the property, the release said.

Despite the order, police said the man returned to the Calgary Humane Society on Monday, and again on Tuesday this week, when he was arrested again.

The accused has been charged with two counts of causing injury to an animal, two counts of an owner willfully causing pain and suffering to an animal, two counts of breach of a release order and one count of possession of methamphetamine.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 14.