What started as a routine outing for a Windermere woman turned frightening, when she witnessed her dog being dragged behind her freshly stolen vehicle as it fled the downtown area late Monday afternoon.

On Monday, July 27, shortly after 5:30 p.m., the Columbia Valley RCMP was advised that a Toyota Rav4 was stolen while parked on Sinclair Avenue in Windermere. The owner told police she had left her vehicle running with her dog inside, while she went into a local store. When she returned to her vehicle it was gone.

“A short time later the woman saw her Rav4 drive past and could only watch as the auto theft suspect tried to push her dog out of the moving SUV,” stated Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the BC RCMP Southeast District. “In doing so, the dog’s leash became caught in the door resulting in the dog being dragged for a distance of approximately one block.”

Officers immediately responded and began conducting patrols for the stolen vehicle. A description of the male suspect was obtained from video surveillance and within an hour, front line officers located the suspect walking on Subdivision Road in Windermere.

The stolen vehicle was located a short distance away. The male was arrested and remanded into custody.

Rylan Kinsey, 24, of Airdrie, Alberta has now been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, causing injury to an animal and three counts of failing to comply with release conditions.

Indy, the woman’s Husky Hound Shepherd cross, sustained abrasions and lacerations as a result of being dragged. His owner believes that he either eventually slipped out of his collar or it broke away during the ordeal. Indy’s wounds required stitches, but he is expected to fully recover, Cpl. O’Donaghey reported.

If you witnessed this incident and have not yet spoken to police you are urged to call the Columbia Valley RCMP at 250-342-9292.

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