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A poodle that was found locked in a suitcase and abandoned in the woods has sparked an investigation by the Richmond RCMP and B.C. SPCA cruelty investigations team.

The dog was brought to the Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) animal shelter on Sunday night by a pair of RCMP officers after it was discovered in a wooded area of Richmond by a person out for a walk.

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“It was a hard-shelled suitcase in the middle of the woods in a ditch. The suitcase was double locked … the person purposely locked the suitcase and it had to be broken into,” said Eyal Lichtmann, CEO of RAPS.

Photo by Richmond Animal Protection Society / PNG

Lichtmann believes the dog, estimated to be six years old, had been locked in the suitcase lying in his urine and feces for about three hours,

“He was very, very lucky that he was found,” he said. “This is absolute cruelty … to do this to a beautiful little poodle, who is the friendliest dog in the world.”

The Richmond City Shelter and RAPS Cat Sanctuary, both operated by the Richmond Animal Protection Society. are no-kill shelters. All animals dropped off at the shelters are cared for until new homes become available.