NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario – A local man is facing animal cruelty charges after a litter of Shar-Pei puppies was found abandoned by a river in Niagara Falls. The discovery was made on Dec. 28 near Niagara Pkwy, where the frigid waters of the Niagara River run. The six to eight-week-old pups had been left in the cold, with one found dead and two others missing out of the original seven. The evening temperatures had dropped to minus six degrees, with rain and freezing rain throughout the day.
The Niagara Police and Niagara Parks Police joined forces to investigate the case, with the Criminal Investigations Bureau taking the lead supported by the CyberCrime Unit. As a result of the investigation, a suspect was identified, leading to the arrest of Mario Sid Silva on Jan. 10. Silva has been charged with causing unnecessary pain to an animal and killing an animal.
The four surviving puppies are now under the care of the Niagara Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) until they can be adopted. In response to the incident, authorities emphasized that abandoning pets in parks and nature areas is not a viable option for those who can no longer care for them. They encouraged people to reach out to local animal services or rescue organizations instead.
Anyone with information related to the case has been urged to contact the police at 905-688-4111, or to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
In summary, the discovery of abandoned Shar-Pei puppies near Niagara Falls has resulted in animal cruelty charges for a local man, as well as prompting authorities to remind the public of the importance of responsible pet care and the availability of other options for pet owners in similar situations.