Caitlin Strong is dealing with the heartbreak of losing her two German shepherds, Hank and Mary Jane, under suspicious circumstances near her rural home outside Aylmer. The tragedy unfolded last Saturday, when Strong let her dogs outside at around 1:15 p.m. Shortly after, gunshots rang out in the area. Strong initially wasn’t concerned, as neighbors often shoot raccoons, but when her dogs didn’t return an hour later, she began searching for them.
As Strong tracked the dogs’ footprints through a forested area toward a nearby creek, she discovered blood-soaked snow and what appeared to be drag marks. Strong believes this may be where the shooting occurred. Upon speaking with neighbors, she learned that coyote hunting is permitted in the area on Saturdays, but hunting is not allowed in the field behind their property where the dogs often roam.
Despite their continued search, Strong and her husband, Robert Jordan, couldn’t locate their dogs. The following day, they found hair resembling Hank’s at the spot where the blood was found. They immediately contacted the OPP, who advised them to reach out to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) if the blood did not appear human.
The OPP is aware of the incident, but the MNR is now leading the investigation into the case. Const. Brett Phair, an OPP spokesperson, confirmed the ongoing probe into what is being treated as a potential wildlife-related incident. Strong is left devastated, considering a move as she grapples with the trauma of her dogs’ deaths and the violent circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
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