Ottawa police say a puppy has died after being kicked and beaten near Algonquin College on Thursday afternoon, and officers have made a public appeal for any witnesses.



The dog, a nine-month-old pomeranian, had gotten loose and its owner was searching for it in the area of Woodroffe Avenue and Navaho Drive.



“It’s terrible,” said Det. David Guy. “He saw three people standing in a parking lot. He went over and they were looking at his dog.”



The three people said they had heard a commotion and seen someone kicking at the dog and then running away. The owner scooped up the badly injured animal and took it straight to a veterinarian, but it later died from its injuries, Guy said.



The dog owner could only describe the witnesses as young people in their 20s — possibly Algonquin students — who were wearing winter clothing.



“They said they’d seen it happen, but he didn’t get their names. Hopefully, if we can get the word out they’ll get in touch with us.”



Police hope to speak to the witnesses or anyone else who might have information about the incident, which occurred at 2:20 p.m.



Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Guy of the West Criminal Investigation Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 2649. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.



bcrawford@postmedia.com