2Montreal, March 2, 2016 – Yesterday, the Montreal SPCA reached out to the public to help identify Penelope’s abusers. She was found on Saturday morning abandoned in the parking lot of Harvey’s restaurant, near Namur metro, in a very critical medical state.

The Montreal SPCA is very saddened to announce Penelope’s passing. Unfortunately, due to her critical condition and poor prognosis, our veterinary team recommended humane euthanasia. We are comforted by the fact that she has been loved by our entire team and by our community’s wonderful support regarding her case.

Penelope was a female shih-tzu, of approximately 9 years of age. In addition to her serious skin and eye issues, she was suffering from serious complications due to uncontrolled diabetes, including: extreme emaciation, severe dehydration, severe electrolyte imbalances and secondary organ damage. She was found wearing a multicolored collar without any identification.

The Montreal SPCA’s investigations and inspections department is continuing its investigation into this case and is seeking the public’s help in order to identify Penelope and her former owners, as well as to apprehend the person responsible for this cruel abandonment. In order to help the investigation move forward, the Montreal SPCA is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone providing information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person responsible for this heinous act of cruelty. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact our investigations and inspections department at inspection@spca.com or (514) 735-2711 extension 2230. All tips are treated confidentially.

We are doing everything in our power to achieve some form of justice for Penelope.

“The neglect that Penelope endured is heart wrenching. We are going to do everything in our power to achieve some form of justice for her, and we are counting on the public’s help to find the person responsible” said Me Sophie Gaillard, lawyer for the Montreal SPCA’s Animal Advocacy Department. “Animal cruelty is a serious criminal offence and the perpetrator of this act could face up to five years in prison.”

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Media contact: Anita Kapuscinska, Media Relations Coordinator, Montreal SPCA, 514-226-3932, or anitak@spca.com.

About the Montreal SPCA
Founded in Montreal in 1869, we were the first humane society in Canada and our mission is to:

• protect animals against negligence, abuse, and exploitation;
• represent their interests and ensure their well-being;
• raise public awareness and help develop compassion for all living beings.

For many years, the Montreal SPCA has been working hard with municipal, provincial and federal governments to improve animal protection laws. In 2015, our inspection service investigated 1,339 new complaints and conducted the inspection of 1,945 animals, all species combined. A total of 659 animals were seized as a result of these investigations and several criminal and penal charges were laid.

For more information about the Montreal SPCA, please visit our website at www.spca.com.