Crown Counsel has approved three charges against a northern BC man after an alleged animal abuse incident near downtown Nanaimo earlier this summer.
The charges against 36-year-old Duane Tyler Vallee relate to an alleged case of animal cruelty that took place on July 27th, in the 200 block of Selby Road.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, Vallee faces one count of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, one count of making threats from the day of the incident, and an additional charge of resisting or obstructing a peace officer related to his arrest just over a week later.
The charges were sworn on October 6th, and Vallee had his first court appearance the next day. Police said that the dog with Vallee during the incident was seized and remains in the care of the BC SPCA.
The case gained public attention in late July when a witness saw a man punching and kicking his dog along Selby Road. The witness, who provided a photo to police, said the suspect confronted them after being told to stop and then walked away with the animal.
On August 5th, police made the photo public and received more than 20 tips from the community. This led to Vallee’s arrest two days later in the 100 block of Milton Street.
The investigation is ongoing as the case moves through the courts.
