A traffic stop on the Malahat Highway has led to a happy ending for five pets who were allegedly stolen and taken thousands of kilometres from home.
According to the BC Highway Patrol, the unusual case began on May 24th just after 2 p.m. when an officer was patrolling Highway 1 near Goldstream Provincial Park.
Police say the officer became suspicious after noticing the driver of a blue sedan appearing to give him “strange looks” as they passed each other on the highway.
A check of the vehicle’s Ontario licence plates revealed the driver was wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant originating out of Saskatchewan.
The vehicle was pulled over and the lone occupant, a 36-year-old Ontario man, was arrested without incident.
During the investigation, officers contacted the Saskatchewan RCMP detachment that had requested the warrant and learned it was connected to the alleged theft of animals.
The description of the missing animals matched the passengers travelling in the sedan — two dogs and three cats.
The animals were taken into protective custody and cared for by local animal control officials while arrangements were made to return them home.
In a light-hearted update, BC Highway Patrol said the dogs and cats were later released “without charges after promising to be good boys and girls.”
The five pets have since completed their long journey and have now been reunited with their rightful owners in Saskatchewan.
Police have not released additional details about the investigation or the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft.
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