A Toronto-area humane society is investigating after a family discovered its dog dead and hanging from her collar, in what officials believe is a deliberate attack.
The Humane Society of Durham Region said that a miniature Schnauzer named Heidi was found dead, hanging from a chain behind a family home in Orono, Ont., about 90 kilometres west of Toronto.
Heidi’s owner Bob Heurkens, a retired firefighter, left his home to meet his wife last Monday and left their two dogs tied up in the back yard.
The couple returned home to find 4-year-old Heidi strung up with a chain that had also been left in the back yard. The second dog was unharmed.
Heurkens told CTV Toronto that he attempted CPR on the tiny dog, but could not revive her.
“I worked on her for 15 minutes … and there was just nothing,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of horrible things over my 30 years as a firefighter, but this was very personal.”
Officials say the case is especially disturbing because it appears Heidi was killed intentionally, with the perpetrator putting in a fair amount of work to chain her up up, as well as distract the other pet.
“I have been doing this for 22 years, but it never ceases to amaze me,” said Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officer Debby Houghton.
The SPCA are now looking into past cases where several area dogs were poisoned, saying there may be a link.
Investigators are probing the case and ask that anyone with information call the Humane Society of Durham Region at 90-242-8461 or 905-665-7430 ext. 225.
With a report from CTV's Naomi Parness
