Athabasca RCMP are investigating a reported attack on a Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS) volunteer near the organization’s rural Athabasca facility Saturday afternoon.
A female volunteer with SCARS was walking two dogs near the SCARS facility, 15 km northwest of Athabasca, at around 3:50 p.m. Saturday when a male suspect attacked her.
The suspect, described as Caucasian male, approximately 25-30 years old, 170-200 pounds and wearing a green plaid jacket and a red hat, fled on foot after the incident.
The woman sustained a minor physical injury.
Athabasca RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance with their investigation. Anyone with information on the incident or the assailant can contact them at 780-675-4252.
Athabasca RCMP Sgt. Brian Scott declined to speculate on the assailant’s motive, however, SCARS founder Sylvia Christiansen said that after talking to the volunteer involved, she has little doubt that the attack was related to the recent controversy surrounding SCARS and similar kennel facilities in the area.
Complaints of noise and animals getting loose from local animal shelters and kennels have recently been made in public forums like Athabasca County council.
“It has to be,” Christiansen said. “It’s too coincidental … after the letters came out and after council put their thing in the paper. I’m sure it stems from what’s been going on, which is too bad, because it’s ridiculous.
“I don’t know who would want to hurt a blind, old dog and a woman walking him on a leash,” Christiansen added. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Christiansen said SCARS representatives will be in attendance at an upcoming Athabasca County council meeting.
“We’re demanding some answers,” she said.
“I blame the county (for this),” she said. “They’ve been allowing this (situation) to go on for years. They have a bylaw in place, (but) every time a complaint comes in, they write up a new bylaw.”
