Police rescue 2 dogs intentionally locked in Fort Erie storage unit

Two dogs have been rescued from a storage unit in Fort Erie after police say they were intentionally locked inside.

A witness called Niagara Regional Police on Feb. 19 after seeing two dogs being let into and locked inside of a storage unit within a commercial storage business on Garrison Rd. near Kraft Rd.

Police say barking could be heard from within the storage unit when they arrived and officers cut the lock, fearing for the wellbeing of the animals.

Upon opening the unit, police saw that the dogs were unable to move around because of how much stuff was in the unit. There was also no food or water supply available.

The two dogs were seized under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act and the Lincoln County Humane Society briefly cared for them before their custody was transferred to Animal Welfare Services.

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Police were able to identify the suspect through an initial investigation and he was seen three days later riding a bicycle on Garrison Rd. near Thompson Rd. in Fort Erie.

The suspect did not immediately stop when police asked and he was pursued for almost three kilometers before police were able to arrest him on Buffalo Rd. near Nigh Rd.

Quinby Leland Zachariah-Diaz, 31, of Fort Erie is charged with two counts of willfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal, and two counts of causing damage or injury to animals.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident and are working closely with Animal Welfare Services.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option #3, ext. #1009555.