Ontario Provincial Police have laid charges against a 29-year-old man in connection with a disturbing case in which an animal was allegedly set on fire in Orillia.
On Sept. 16, police and firefighters responded to the intersection of Colborne Street East and West Street South where they discovered a dead animal and an accelerant. A few days later, police received a video of a person of interest seen leaving the area.
According to investigators, the person was seen on the south side of Colborne Street East, crossing north at the crosswalk, then walking through a gas station parking lot, disappearing behind a building, and then moments later emerging from where the incident occurred.
The suspect, who is from Orillia, has been charged with arson causing property damage, mischief causing property damage, and cruelty to animals causing unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury.
Police said the public's assistance helped lead to an arrest.
"The OPP would like to thank the citizens of Orillia for their support and help throughout this investigation," police said in a news release.
