Investigations close without charges in discovery of 6 mutilated animals near Brandon

Two investigations into the discovery of dead, mutilated animals near Brandon earlier this year have been closed without any charges being laid.

RCMP and Manitoba's chief veterinary office launched investigations in March after a deadpony and goat, as well as three coyotes and a raccoon were found days apart in ditches in the Rural Municipalityof Whitewater, about 15 kilometres south of Brandon.

The goat had its hind legs bound and all six animals had their ears removed.

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In a statement, the office of the chief veterinarian said investigators have no proof of ownership of the animals and no new information related to the case so the file has been closed.

At the time, theRCMPchecked with property owners in the areaand found none to bemissing any animals. RCMP also said then that Criminal Code chargesrelated tounnecessarysuffering of ananimal as well as endangering or injuring an animal were possible.

The RCMP said this week their investigation has also been closed for now, but a spokesperson said it will be reopened if new information surfaces in the future.

Anyone with new, first-hand eyewitness information in the case is asked to call the province's chief veterinary office or the RCMP.