Pet owners warned about 'suspicious' dog deaths

August 10, 2008

Last Updated: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 | 3:39 PM MT

CBC News

Trooper is one of two dogs that disappeared from a property west of Edmonton and later turned up dead in a nearby lake. (Edmonton Humane Society) Edmonton's Humane Society warned dog owners Tuesday to keep a close eye on their pets after two dogs disappeared from an area just west of the city and later turned up dead in a nearby lake.

Trooper, a two-year-old Samoyed-collie cross and Molson, a nine-year-old Great Dane-husky cross both vanished from their owner's property in the Winterburn area on April 27 after their owner briefly left them outside unattended.

Their bodies were found in Kirk Lake, near 184 Street and Anthony Henday Drive in early July by members of a local canoe club.

"We aren't sure of the cause of death since the bodies were too advanced in decomposition for us to do an autopsy," said animal protection peace officer Joann Green Tuesday. "But we consider this suspicious since both dogs went missing together and were found dead near each other in the same lake."Molson also went missing and was found dead in Kirk Lake, west of Edmonton. (Edmonton Humane Society) Green said they are publicizing the case in the hopes that they will get some tips to help solve the case.

"We are asking folks to keep their animals inside, if possible, to supervise them when they are outside … Don't leave them out for hours at a time is what we are trying to get across to folks today," Green said.

Humane Society officials are also reminding pet owners to make sure their dogs have proper identification such as a microchip or a tattoo.