Man charged after puppies found dead or mutilated in Ontario

Police say a “disturbing” investigation has led them to the discovery of three “badly mutilated” puppies and a young dead dog they believe were intentionally hurt by the same man before being thrown away in Mississauga.

Officers with the Peel Regional Police 11 Division criminal investigation bureau say while they’ve accounted for only four young dogs so far — all between eight and 10 weeks old — they are aware of “at least eight dogs” that were badly hurt and believe there are more.

The three injured puppies are receiving medical care and are recovering, police added.

Meanwhile, a Mississauga man has been arrested and charged with a dozen animal cruelty offences.

Police said they responded to several incidents in the Dundas Street West/Mavis Road area between this past December and March.

In each case, “juvenile dogs between eight and 10 weeks old were discarded either deceased or badly mutilated and left for dead,” police said in a news release on Monday. “The injuries were not consistent with wildlife and appeared to be intentionally caused. The incidents were linked by investigators who believed this to be the actions of the same individual.”

Following a “complex investigation,” dubbed Project Sentinel, police arrested a suspect this past Friday.

Investigators believe someone used “various buy-and-sell platforms, including Kijiji, to purchase young puppies he later abused. He used the alias ‘Joey’ to converse with sellers and arrange purchases.”

Jiong Wang, 43, of Mississauga, is charged with four counts each of:

• causing unnecessary suffering to animals
• killing or injuring animals
• cruelty to animals

He was held in custody pending a bail hearing in Brampton court.

Police believe there may have been other similar incidents, beyond the eight of which they’re aware, “that are not yet known.”

Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have sold puppies online to a buyer advertised as “Joey” or anyone with information to email police at [email protected].

Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.