On Tuesday, April 23, Saanich Police responded to a complaint of a break and enter to a residence in the 700 block of Haliburton Road. The occupant of the home reported that a newly acquired dog “Timber”, a nine month old Husky / Shepard cross, was missing from the residence and had possibly been stolen.
Investigation revealed that a suspicious female had been observed by the occupants of the home in the area just prior to the incident. A search for the suspect and the dog were not successful.
It was reported that Timber had been recently acquired by the occupants of the home through a pet adoption program with the SPCA. The dog had been abandoned by its previous owner in the Lower mainland area and had been legally turned over for adoption to the SPCA who relocated the dog for adoption purposes.
A 30 year old female from Squamish BC was arrested by members from Squamish RCMP after investigators were able to piece together her actions following the break and enter. The owner that adopted the dog visited a pet supply store in the Broadmead area and learned from an employee that Timber and a female matching the description of the one observed earlier in the day, had been ijn the store purchasing a collar, dog tag, and new leash.
Investigators are still following up and gathering further details before charges will be forwarded to Crown. It is anticipated that the suspect female will face charges of Possession of Stolen Property, and Break and Enter and Commit Theft.
At this time, it is not clear how the suspect may have obtained the location of the adopted dog. There is no information to suggest that anyone from the SPCA or WAG provided this adoption family information to anyone, including the previous owner. It has been determined that a lawyer appeared to be making inquiries to try and locate the dog on behalf of his client in the days prior to this reported incident. No information was shared with the lawyer. “An internal review is taking place at the SPCA to ensure that there was no information shared, and it would appear that this information was obtained through other means” Sgt. Steve Eassie said.
The SPCA and WAG (Whistler Animals Galore) are both cooperating with police and providing details relating to the adoption process. Timber is being cared for by the SPCA and at is not known at this time if he will return to the family that adopted him.
Timber was not injured during this ordeal.
The 30 year old suspect has been released on a Promise to Appear and is expected to appear in court in early June 2013.
A photo of Timber is attached below.
Sgt. Steve Eassie #158