Sturgeon Falls Resident faces arrest for search warrant to seize a dog

STURGEON FALLS RESIDENT FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES

On October 7, 2020 at approximately 1:00 p.m., members from the Nipissing West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) attended a residence on Railway Street in the Municipality of West Nipissing (Sturgeon Falls) in order to execute a search warrant to seize a dog for public safety reasons. The dog in question had been involved in four separate attacks on people and other dogs in the past few months.

The homeowner refused to open the door, therefore, officers forced their way in the residence under the authority of the search warrant. Once inside, the individual was found hiding with the dog in a locked room, and again, refused to open it which resulted in officers having to force it open. The subject continued to be uncooperative, became combative, assaulted officers and subsequently resisted arrest.

As a result of the investigation, Renée FALARDEAU, age 34, from Sturgeon Falls, was charged with:

Obstruct Peace Officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code (CC);
Assault a Peace Officer, contrary to section 270(1)(a) of the CC; and
Resist Peace Officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the CC.

The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on November 19, 2020 in Sturgeon Falls.

The dog was seized and turned over to the North Bay and District Humane Society.