Dog owners warned after raw meat discovered at Woodsdale Dog Park in Lake Country

Possible suspect found

Photo: Rhea Morgan/ Facebook

Cutline: Raw meat was discovered at the Woodsdale dog park behind the tennis courts in Lake Country on Thursday morning.

UPDATE: 7:06 p.m.

Mounties in Lake Country say they have identified an individual in connection with an investigation into raw meat being suspiciously left inside the dog park on Woodsdale Road Thursday morning.

“However, police have not confirmed this person as a suspect and their involvement remains unknown,” Lake Country RCMP said in a statement.

“At this time, officers are not aware of any animals being harmed and it has not been established whether the food was intentionally placed to bait or injure animals.”

Police were called to the park earlier in the day after receiving a report that meat and other food items had been left in the area.

According to Mounties, the caller removed the food before officers arrived, and an individual seen in the park around the same time was identified.

"Lake Country RCMP remind the public that leaving food in parks is unsafe, as it can attract wildlife, pose a risk to domestic animals and create concern for park users," police said.

Anyone who has seen suspicious activity in local parks or elsewhere are encouraged to contact Lake Country RCMP at 250-766-2288 or anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers.

ORIGINAL: 1:19 p.m.

Residents are being urged to use caution after raw meat was reportedly discovered at the Woodsdale dog park behind the tennis courts in Lake Country.

Rhea Morgan shared details of the incident on the Lake Country Community Facebook page Thursday morning, warning fellow dog owners about what she described as suspicious activity in the area.

''Caution raw meat found at the Woodsdale dog park. Do not bring your dogs down here today. Police have been called,” Morgan wrote in her post.

Morgan said the incident occurred just before 11 a.m. while she was walking into the park.

She believes she saw the suspect.

“I was walking into the park as he was leaving and thought it was suspicious that he didn't have a dog with him but was carrying a black dog waste bag that appeared to have a deli container inside of it,” she said.

She added that she became concerned after observing the man leave the area.

“I don't want anything bad to happen to anyone's dog and I watched the guy take off on a bike down the rail trail,” Morgan said.

Lake Country RCMP are on the scene investigating.