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A 63-year-old Niagara Falls man is charged with animal cruelty offences after five puppies were found abandoned last month in “frigid” water near the Niagara River Parkway.
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Niagara Parks officers were notified of the incident at about noon on Dec. 28 near the parkway and Edgeworth Rd. after visitors from out of town heard the puppies from a nearby parkette, Niagara Regional Police said. Five puppies were recovered, but one died despite the bystanders’ attempts to keep the pups warm in a car.
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Mario Sid Silva, 63, is charged with killing an animal other than cattle and four counts of willfully causing unnecessary pain/suffering or injury to an animal.
“The investigation determined that seven Shar Pei puppies had been abandoned on Dec. 28, 2023,” police said. “Four remain in the care of the Niagara SPCA, one was deceased when officers attended the initial scene and two are unaccounted for.”
The surviving puppies, believed to be between six to eight weeks old, are doing well and gaining weight, police said.
“While there are plans to adopt out the puppies to a good home, they will be remaining in the care of the Niagara SPCA till they reach an adoptable age,” they added.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact officers at 905-688-4111, Option 3, Ext. 1022200. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
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