Persons of interest identified in connection to dog's death near Taber

**WARNING: Story contains a graphic image***

RCMP are investigating a case of suspected animal abuse after two teenage girls located a lifeless dog near a southern Alberta town on Friday afternoon.

The teenagers were riding ATVs on private property at a location outside of Taber, Alberta when they made the grisly discovery. The girls found the remains of a dog which had baling twine wrapped tightly around its neck. The other end of the twine was fastened to a fence post.

The dog appeared to have been beaten to death and had suffered a gunshot wound. The offender, or offenders, may have struck the animal with a steering wheel which was found next to the dog’s remains.

Cheri (last name withheld), the mother of one of the teenagers, is outraged by the actions of the assailant and fears the lack of respect the attacker had for the animal could lead to future attacks.

“First of all, it was just disgusting that anyone could do that to an animal,” said Cheri in a phone interview with CTV Calgary. “What I really want out of this is for the person who did this to be caught. If they did this to an animal, what would they do to a human?”

Vauxhall RCMP officials say they are investigating the case and have transported the dog’s remains to a veterinary clinic for a necropsy. Officers have identified persons of interest in relation to the dog's death.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Vauxhall RCMP detachment, [phone], or Crime Stoppers.

Taber is located approximately 50 kilometres east of Lethbridge.

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  Map of Taber

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  The remains of the dog are seen next to a steering wheel