Dog walker charged in deaths

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Mourners watch as blankets with photos of deceased dogs are raised during a memorial in Langley, B.C., on Sunday June 22, 2014. Charges have been laid against a dog walker from Langley, B.C., who is accused of leaving six dogs to die in a hot truck. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Charges have been laid against a dog walker from Langley, B.C., who is charged in connection with the deaths of six dogs.

The B.C. SPCA says Emma Paulsen is facing six charges, five of which are animal cruelty-related while the sixth is one of public mischief.

The animals were reported stolen from Paulsen's truck while it was parked at a dog park in May, and a massive search was launched by their owners and the community.

The dogs were later found dead in a Fraser Valley ditch.

Langley RCMP did not comment on the charges instead referred questions to the SPCA.

Last May police said they believed the dogs died in the back of a vehicle on what was a hot day.

The SPCA said it didn't know when Paulsen would appear in court to face the allegations against her.