WARNING: This story contains disturbing details about animal cruelty.
A Hamilton man has been found guilty of causing distress to an animal and fined $2,000, two years after a video showed him dragging his dog down a sidewalk.
Neil Stratford was convicted on June 10 under Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services Act, the Ministry of the Solicitor General announced recently.
Ministry spokesperson Brent Ross told CBC Hamilton the charges were related to the video. In it, Stratford is seen whipping Merlin with a leash and pulling him roughly 100 metres down a sidewalk in the Dundas area.
CBC Hamilton attempted to reach Stratford for comment by phone. The person who answered at his residence hung up after a reporter told the individual who was calling.
The 2023 video was widely shared and prompted a public outcry.
Dog ‘never got the chance to truly heal’
At the time, Ashley DaSilva, founder of volunteer-based Hamilton animal rescue group Fur Warriors, criticized the response from police and the province, telling CBC Hamilton she thought Stratford should have faced criminal charges.
On July 7, Fur Warriors posted on Facebook about the decision in Stratford’s case, saying Merlin “was failed every step of the way” and “never got the chance to truly heal.”
Ross said Merlin was removed from Stratford’s possession and stayed in the care of Animal Welfare Services until dying of cardiac arrest a year later.
Stratford, who was also found guilty of permitting distress to an animal, is prohibited from owning, caring for or living with animals for 15 years. He must also allow Animal Welfare Services inspectors to come by unannounced four times per year and notify that service if his address changes.
Ross was not able to confirm if a third charge against Stratford was dropped.
