Police arrest, charge man in connection to animal cruelty investigation

A four-month investigation has culminated with multiple charges being laid against an Edmonton man in connection to a puppy selling operation out of his northeast Edmonton garage.

Edmonton Police Service investigators became involved in an animal welfare investigation after being contacted by peace officers with the City of Edmonton's Animal Care and Control unit.

It was reported to police that a 45-year-old male was advertising various breeds of puppies for sale online. Following appointments to view the puppies, several prospective buyers lodged formal complaints regarding the animals’ living conditions and overall health.

On Oct. 25, 2020, EPS members and Animal Control peace officers executed a search warrant at the suspect residence near 83 Street and 138 Avenue in northeast Edmonton. Upon arrival, officers found 10 puppies at the address; five dogs living in distress in the garage and another five in the suspect’s residence. Officers noted an overpowering odour of feces and urine emanating from the unheated garage, dogs tethered and covered in urine spots on their bellies, as a result of standing in their own excrement. The animals also appeared dehydrated, as a result of having no water readily available nearby.

Officers subsequently seized 10 dogs: four Border Collie puppies and one Blue Heeler inside the garage and two Yorkshire Terriers, two Shih Tzus and one Chihuahua inside the residence. The animals were transported to the Animal Care and Control Centre where they were to be examined.

Oluseyi Babatunde Farombi, 45, is facing numerous animal cruelty charges under the Criminal Code and Animal Protection Act including cruelty to animals, causing distress to animals, failure to provide adequate shelter and failure to protect from injurious cold.

Police believe there may be other complainants who either purchased sick puppies from Farombi or witnessed the dogs’ living conditions. As such, investigators are encouraging anyone who engaged Farombi for the potential purchase of puppies, at the 138 Avenue address or possibly another residence in northeast Edmonton to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

from Media Releases https://ift.tt/3jHhMVJ