Close X
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
ADVT 
National

'Hugo is fine': RCMP say Richmond, B.C., resident harassed over false cruelty claim

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Jun, 2023 12:54 PM
  • 'Hugo is fine': RCMP say Richmond, B.C., resident harassed over false cruelty claim

Police in Metro Vancouver are telling the public to leave a pet owner and their dog Hugo alone after the resident was "mercilessly harassed" over unfounded claims of animal abuse.

A statement from Richmond RCMP says they have received multiple calls since June 16 to investigate the pet owner after posters were put up around the city listing the address and accusing the resident of cruelty.

But the RCMP say the claims have been "thoroughly investigated and determined to be unfounded" by police, the city and the BC SPCA.

The statement says the Mounties have had to post officers outside the home "to preserve public safety" and tell the public the claims are baseless.

Cpl. Adriana O'Malley says in Thursday's statement that officers have observed a "steady stream of people" turning up at the home, some of them "aggressive and confrontational."

RCMP say the situation is now being investigated as a case of mischief targeting the resident.

"We need the public to understand that Hugo is fine and not encountering any abuse," O'Malley said.

She says it appeared someone had "made a concerted effort to publicize" the false allegations by posting signage on city property.

A Tweet from the City of Richmond on Wednesday says the dog is safe and well cared for, adding the hashtag "Hugo is fine."

The city shared a photo of Hugo, a Labrador retriever, looking well.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June. 22, 2023. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Driver in hospital after deadly B.C. wedding crash

Driver in hospital after deadly B.C. wedding crash
Const. Nicole Braithwaite of West Vancouver Police told a press conference today that the scene of the incident at the 400 block of Keith Road was “chaotic.” She says two women in their 60s were pronounced dead at the scene, and seven people were taken to hospital, two in critical condition.

Driver in hospital after deadly B.C. wedding crash

VPD say guns found in encampment tent

VPD say guns found in encampment tent
Investigators believe the weapons were being used for protection and to intimidate others in the encampment. A 40-year-old from Vancouver, a 23-year-old from Burnaby and two men in their 20s from Surrey are due in court in October to face multiple charges.

VPD say guns found in encampment tent

Border blues: travel pressure mounts on Ottawa

Border blues: travel pressure mounts on Ottawa
The Canadian American Business Council's new campaign, "Travel Like it's 2019," aims to flood federal MPs with public demands for action. It calls on Ottawa to scrap the troublesome ArriveCan app, a mandatory pre-screening tool for visitors to Canada.

Border blues: travel pressure mounts on Ottawa

Canada buys more doses of Moderna bivalent vaccine

Canada buys more doses of Moderna bivalent vaccine
Canada purchased 4.5 million new doses and pushed up the delivery date for the 1.5 million doses originally scheduled to arrive in Canada next year. The agreement depends on Health Canada's approval of the bivalent vaccine, which was submitted for review on June 30.

Canada buys more doses of Moderna bivalent vaccine

At least 40 displaced by Vancouver explosion, fire

At least 40 displaced by Vancouver explosion, fire
Dozens of people have been left without a home after an apparent explosion sparked a fire between two buildings in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Assistant Fire Chief Pierre Morin with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services says social services staff are trying to house at least 40 people from the single-room occupancy hotels.

At least 40 displaced by Vancouver explosion, fire

B.C. union bans overtime to back wage demands

B.C. union bans overtime to back wage demands
The ban will not apply to members working in the BC Wildfire Service during the current wildfire season. Last week, the 33,000-member union set up pickets around liquor distribution outlets to back demands like wage protection against inflation.

B.C. union bans overtime to back wage demands