Calgary Humane Society investigates after two dogs found dead in park

(WARNING: Some of the images contained within this story might be disturbing to readers.)

The Calgary Humane Society is investigating what it describes as a case of severe animal neglect after two dead dogs were found in a wooded area near the Graves Bridge parking lot where Glenmore Trail spans the Bow River.

Calgarian Anett Meszaros said she discovered the bodies on May 7 while walking in the area.

“I saw a bit of orange hair, and then I thought, ‘Oh, it’s a fox, probably,’” Meszaros said.

“So I walked closer, and it’s a dog, kind of like a golden retriever mix.”

Meszaros said a second dog was nearby.

“And that was to my right, and then to my left was a white, smaller pit bull type of dog, young,” she said.

“They both looked young from their teeth as well.”

Meszaros, who said she has worked in the veterinary industry for more than 20 years, added that she was immediately upset by the discovery.

“It was mainly anger, because I knew immediately, or pretty close to, how these dogs would have died by their body composition,” Meszaros said.

“And also for somebody to just toss them out into a public park. It really angered me that we as humans would do something like that.”

She said she contacted animal services after finding the dogs but said it took about a week before the animals were removed.

“They said they couldn’t find the dogs and didn’t pick them up,” Meszaros said.

“And I got really agitated, and I said, ‘Why wouldn’t you call me? I had a map. I drew a map. I circled where they were.’”

Meszaros said she later contacted Calgary police because she believed the case should be treated seriously.

“I decided, you know, this should be treated as a murder case,” she said.

“It was, but it was done to dogs.”

The dogs were eventually picked up by a city crew and taken to the Calgary Humane Society, which has taken over the investigation.

Sgt. Jill Gibson with the Calgary Humane Society said investigators began looking into the case about eight days after the initial discovery.

“Our protection team was notified about the situation about eight days after the initial discovery,” Gibson said.

“And so we began our investigation immediately.”

Gibson said a forensic veterinarian examined the dogs.

“Despite some degradation from exposure, we were able to determine that there is indication of severe neglect in this case,” Gibson said.

“We can determine that one of the dogs was starved.”

She said investigators found no evidence of disease.

“The condition of their bodies indicates severe neglect,” Gibson said.

“We’re looking at neglect of something here, whether that’s food, vet care—things like that.”

The humane society said the veterinarian’s examination shows one dog to be a golden retriever and the other a collie-terrier mix.

Investigators returned to the area Wednesday to gather evidence and determine how long the bodies had been at the site.

“We’re working with our forensic veterinarian to determine just how long they’ve been at that site,” Gibson said.

“And so we’ve collected some entomology samples, and we’re working closely with experts in that regard.”

Gibson said investigators are asking the public for help identifying the dogs.

“At this point, there’s no ID on the dogs,” Gibson said.

“So we are looking for help from the public in identifying these dogs.”

She said the case appears to involve long-term neglect.

“These types of neglect cases happen over a prolonged period of time,” Gibson said.

“So people around the animals would have noticed something going wrong, and especially someone who was owning or caretaking the animals would have absolutely seen this happening.”

Meszaros said she hopes the case leads to tougher penalties for animal abuse and neglect.

“I would like there to be harder laws for animal abuse and animal negligence,” she said.

“Because when you’re seeing nothing happen, what’s stopping somebody who’s mentally unstable from committing the same crime?”

The Calgary Humane Society said it is looking at several possible charges under the Criminal Code in relation to animal cruelty.

It said other charges relating to disposal of the bodies could also apply, but investigators do not yet know who may be responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Calgary Humane Society.