DURHAM – An Oshawa man faces several charges after police removed pets including snakes, raccoons, bearded dragons and dogs from a Taunton Road home.
The pets were rescued after they had been abandoned for up to five days, say Durham Regional Police.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, at around 5 p.m., officers were called to Taunton Terrace on Taunton Road East in Oshawa, after citizens were concerned about the well-being of a dog left outside.
“We noticed since last Monday that the dogs on the inside and the outside had been whining a lot more,” said a concerned neighbour who wished not to be named.
The dog was being fed by neighbours and two more dogs were heard inside the unit.
“I just wanted to get them out of there,” said the neighbour. “We didn’t want to wait any longer.”
When officers entered the house to check on the safety of the owner, they were overwhelmed by the offensive smell inside.
“I don’t even know how to describe it,” said the neighbour. “Just gross.”
The owner was not home, but two dogs were found in distress, and numerous pets were left unattended. An iguana, a caiman, two bearded dragons, nine red-eared sliders, five snakes, 10 turtles, a frog, a tarantula and a raccoon were seized from the home. The dogs and the raccoon were running free in the house.
“They were all taken into custody through a volunteer service. That (the investigation) was taken over by the OSPCA,” said Durham Regional Police Sergeant Bill Calder, adding the investigator will decide if any of the animals will be returned to the owner.
The neighbour was grateful for the police department’s quick response.
“They got them all out, which is good,” she said.
Jake Sheffield, age 24, of 100 Taunton Road East in Oshawa, is charged with four counts of failing to provide reasonable care for an animal. He was released on an undertaking with conditions, including a promise to appear.
Anyone with new information about this incident is asked to call Cst. Handscomb of Central West Division at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1836.
Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.