A Welland man is accused of despicable violence towards a dog and allegedly striking two police officers when they tried to arrest him.
Niagara Regional Police said officers responded on Monday at about 3:15 p.m. to the Dennistoun and Hooker Sts. area of Welland for an animal complaint call.
According to police, an investigation revealed that a man was allegedly holding a shihtzu dog up by the leash, strangling it.
Police alleged that the man then “smashed the dog into the railing of his front porch six times and then struck the dog with a long dark stick.”
The accused also allegedly punched the dog several times, police said.
Officers arrived on scene and approached the man and requested he hand over the dog. Police said the man refused and a struggle ensued between an officer and the suspect.
Cops said the officer was eventually able to take the dog from the accused’s possession.
However, police said when the suspect was informed he was under arrest, he allegedly “resisted and struck the officers multiple times in the head and face.”
Police said officers eventually gained control of the accused and he was placed under arrest.
Two officers sustained minor physical injuries.
Glen Ireland, 33, was charged with willfully cause unnecessary pain/suffering or injury to an animal and two counts of assault with intent to resist arrest.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 905-688-4111 option 3, ext. 1009287, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppersniagara.ca.