Animal Cruelty Charges Laid in Death of 15 Dogs
GREENSTONE, ON – An ongoing Ontario Provincial Police investigation has led to charges filed against a pair of people. The investigation started on February 7, 2017, when Greenstone Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began an investigation into a report of a group of neglected dogs located at a cabin just north of the Lower Flat Rapids area in Ginoogaming, First Nation Territory.
Police reportedly located fifteen dogs at the cabin with various injuries and health problems.
Among the fifteen dogs three were deceased. The Greenstone OPP continued this investigation with the assistance of Thunder Bay, Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) agents and all animals were transported to the Thunder Bay Humane Society for treatment and examination.
As a result of this joint investigation dog owner, forty-three-year-old John Onabigon of Ginoogaming, First Nation Territory was arrested and charged on March 31, 2017.
On March 31, 2017, sixteen additional dogs owned by the couple were surrendered to Greenstone OPP and Thunder Bay SPCA agents and have been transported to the Thunder Bay Humane Society for assessment.
On May 3, 2017, forty-five-year-old Gwendolen Onabigon of Ginoogaming, First Nation Territory, who Greenstone OPP had been seeking for the same charges, turned herself in and was charged with:
- Cruelty to animals – unnecessary pain and suffering or injury, contrary to section 445.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
- Causing damage or injury to animal or bird – fail to provide suitable/adequate food, water, care and shelter, contrary to section 446(1)(b) of the Criminal Code
- Killing, injuring, or endangering animals other than cattle, contrary to section 445(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
Gwendolen Onabigon will appear in Longlac Court on May 17, 2017 at 10:00AM EDT.
