Animal abuse in Windsor sparks anger

The unusual killing of an animal in Windsor on Feb 18 has citizens in uproar.

Donovan Patrick, a 20-year-old Windsor man, is facing charges of injuring and killing an animal.  Partick was arrested after brutally assaulting and killing a dog in South Walkerville Park.

A witness was walking her dog in the park around 7 a.m. when she saw Patrick assaulting the dog she called the police quickly. The dog was found with cuts on its neck and upper body.

The dog, a shepherd-husky mix, was rushed to a nearby animal hospital and died 45 minutes later.

In Canada the punishment for killing or harming an animal is up to five years in prison if indicted. On a summary conviction, guilty parties can face fines up to $10,000 and/or 18 months imprisonment.

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies said in 2012 119,000 cats, 53,000 dogs and 15,000 other animals were taken in by shelters across the country.

Young animal lovers in Windsor said Patrick should be punished severally for his actions, as should anyone who hurts an animal.

“The context of how the dog died is just horrifying and I believe that this person should undoubtedly suffer the consequences for his actions,” said Maurizio Mantovan, 16, a student who has had a dog since he was 8. “I think that we should treat animal cruelty the right way. By this I mean if a person commits assault on someone they suffer those consequences, same goes for animals.”

“I am very upset about it. In my opinion he deserves exactly what he did to the dog,” said Janaya Hyland, a 19-year-old Windsorite. “Animal abuse is disgusting and it needs to be stopped. People need to be very aware of how bad it is.”

Carter Hughes, 22, a University of Windsor student and a dog owner said he can’t believe someone could be so cruel to such a loyal animal.

“I feel disgusted that an animal could be treated that way and abused in that manner,” said Hughes. “I feel animal abuse is wrong and anyone caught should be reprimanded. Any type of physical or mental abuse to animals is not acceptable.”

“Growing up I saw my dad abuse my dog. It hurt me to see what was going on and I couldn’t say or do anything about it,” said Hyland. “I feel like people need to really be aware of what abuse to an animal really is. It really does make me sad and people who do the abuse should really pay for it.”

Over the last 10 years incidents of animal abuse in Canadian courts are being stricter on people who commit such crimes.