The Smithers RCMP have reported that a break and enter at the 4000 block of 7th Avenue at around 4 p.m. on Feb. 4 resulted in the death of a dog.
The police received two calls, the second from the homeowner saying that someone had broken into the house and killed his dog.
When police arrived they were directed to the male suspect by witnesses, as there were several witnesses to the incident.
In a media update, RCMP say that a neighbour observed the suspect running down the street, chasing a small black dog, and ran into the home that was the site of the break and enter.
The neighbour continued to observe and contacted the police.
Sgt. Kirsten Marshall of the Smithers detachment said it wasn't immediately clear in the report if the suspect followed the dog in or whether it was the other way around.
However witnesses report hearing banging and crashing from within the house, which was otherwise empty at the time.
The male then exited through a window at the front of the house — it is also unclear if he jumped out or fell out by accident.
The suspect was immediately arrested for break and enter, mischief, and causing injury/death to an animal.
The male was cooperative with police but appeared disoriented and was found with a small bag of marijuana.
Drugs may have been a factor in this incident and police say the male is known to them.
There is no word on how the dog was killed but pursuing a criminal charge in the death suggests there was intent.
It appeared the male had sustained injury after going through the window and police transported the suspect to the hospital for treatment of minor wounds before being taken to the RCMP detachment.
The male is currently in custody awaiting his next court appearance.
Marshall does emphasize that the general public should not worry as there is no one in town that is specifically targeting house pets.