Owner of beaten dog busted on unrelated matter

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The BC SPCA says Vancouver Police have arrested the owner of the German Shepherd found badly beaten in a dumpster in Kitsilano.

Vancouver Police say the man is in custody for a completely different matter, unrelated to Captain’s death.

Marcie Moriarty with the SPCA says their investigators will now have a chance to speak with him.

“We’re just pleased that we get this opportunity to speak with him. That was definitely one of the pieces of the puzzle that was left hanging. It’s a step in concluding what happened to Captain,” Moriarty believes. “Our constables will be questioning him as to what involvement, if any, he had in Captain’s injuries.”

Court documents obtained by News1130 contain disturbing witness claims on what they heard coming out of the dog owner’s home the night before Captain was found.

The two-year-old dog was found near-death and wrapped in a bloody blanket in a dumpster near Maple and Cornwall on July 19. The next day he went into cardiac arrest and died.

The SPCA says on top of substantial lacerations and bruising that had been inflicted on the dog, tests showed he was also suffering neurological damage and was likely quadriplegic.

Vigil for Captain brings hundreds to Hadden Beach

The shock of Captain’s story still hadn’t worn off for many of the people at a vigil for the dog near the Vancouver Maritime Museum last night..

More than 200 people came together with their dogs to call for justice in the case. They can’t believe a German Shepherd would be left to die in a dumpster.

Many are pleased the owner has been found, and hope a price will be paid if he hurt the animal.

“If there is enough evidence to point to that the owner was the person that did this to the dog, let’s prosecute him, let’s set an example,” says Doug, who took his dog Nima to the memorial.

“I think enough people have voiced their outrage that something will be done about this.” adds Rebeka.

“For sure I’d like to see jail time,” says Tegan, as she held the leash of her canine friend, Indie.

People News1130 spoke with hope the big turnout at Hadden Park’s off-leash beach will send a clear message that they want justice.

“Despicable. My fear was ‘what is this guy going to do to humans?'” suggests Antonia.

“They found him in a dumpster.  That is so ridiculous.” says an exasperated Asti.

Calls for beach name change

Some people at the vigil have suggested Captain’s name be adopted for Hadden Beach.

That idea hasn’t gained any traction with Vancouver Park Board Commissioner Trevor Loke, who says people shouldn’t get their hopes up for a name change. He believes it wouldn’t be fair to Harvey Hadden, who bought the land in the 1920s to donate it to the city.

“He also donated the land around Woodland Park as well, so I think that honour for Hadden is very important for us to recognize,” explains.

Still, Loke is open to other ideas for a memorial.

“I don’t think we can forget that animal abuse is something that happens far too often, and it’s something that I would love to bring awareness to, and I think something that I would love to hear from the public on in terms of how we could recognize this in some of our public spaces.”