On Nov. 21, the non-profit’s animal helpline received a call from a grandfather and granddaughter who came upon what appeared to be a German Shepherd, tied up in ropes with a navy blue and black harness on McIntyre Creek Road near Vaseaux Lake.

The levels of decomposition made it impossible to determine the sex of the dog, the BC SPCA said in a news release on Nov. 28.

There were also no signs of obvious injuries or trauma, and a necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, it added.

“This was a thick rope used to tie the dog up, and it was given less than two feet of length,” said Matt Affleck, region manager of cruelty investigations at the SPCA. “It’s clear from the tightness of the knot just how hard the dog struggled to get free. It was pulled completely taut.”

Anyone who believes they have relevant information about the identity of the dog and/or its owner is asked to call the BC SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722. The line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

In its release, the B.C.-wide society described the Penticton cruelty case as “alarming.”

“It’s awful to think about the dog’s last moments and the panic of being left alone in the woods to die in this way,” Affleck added.

More than 7,600 animal cruelty investigations were conducted by the BC SPCA in 2024.

“The level of suffering this poor animal had to go through is something no creature should have to endure,” Affleck said about the Penticton-area incident. “We’re conscious that we don’t yet have all the information about how the dog ended up here, but the use of a basket muzzle and such a tight tether with a thick rope is concerning. Especially while wearing a muzzle like this one, there was no chance this poor dog could chew itself free.”

Additional British Columbia Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) officers are on scene in the remote northern B.C. community after the grizzly bear attack on Thursday, Nov. 20.

Based on its investigation to this point, including “witness accounts,” the BCCOS says two additional grizzly bears were seen in the area during the attack, which happened during lunchtime on a school field trip at around 1:35 p.m.

The victims were part of a group of students and teachers who stopped along a trail near a river when a grizzly bear emerged from the forest.

BCCOS officials said the investigation on Saturday included the collection of any forensic evidence that could be used to identify the bears.

In an update, the conservation office also urged people to avoid the 4 Mile area and not to search for the three bears themselves.

“We can appreciate people want to be involved but this is a fluid and dangerous situation,” said BCCOS Insp. Kevin Van Damme. “For the safety of residents and our officers, please avoid the area and allow them space to do their work.”

The BCCOS also said it is continuing to work with the Nuxalk Nation, which reminded people that it offers crisis and trauma support via its phone services.

“We recognize this incident is distressing for the community,” Van Damme said.

“We are in close contact with the Nuxalk Nation as our investigation continues. We thank them for their collaborative efforts to ensure community awareness and shared safety information. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.”