TORONTO

A couple from rural Nassagaweya Twp. face bestiality charges after being busted for allegedly growing pot in a dog kennel, Halton Regional Police said Friday.

Officers executed a search warrant Thursday at the farmhouse on 20th Sdrd., about 70 km west of Toronto, and located a ”sophisticated” indoor marijuana grow-op, police said.

But pot was not all they allegedly found.

“While searching the residence, (officers) seized evidence related to bestiality involving a dog,” police said.

Investigators did not elaborate on what that “evidence” included.

But they claim about $9,500 in harvested marijuana, an undisclosed amount of anabolic steroids and a 12-gauge shotgun were also found in the house.

Two young kids were living at the residence with the accused couple, police said.

The grow-op was allegedly found in a separate building next to the house, both of which are tucked about 500 metres back from the road on the sprawling snow-covered property 20 km northwest of Milton.

Police allege more than 1,600 plants worth about $210,000 were seized from the building, which they claim also housed a dog kennel.

Residents of the area near Mohawk Racetrack, many of whom are horse owners, were shocked to learn of the pot operation in their sleepy community.

And they were even more disturbed by the bestiality accusations.

One neighbour said an “extremely private” older couple, possibly in their 60s, own the home.

It’s unclear how the homeowners are connected to the accused couple, both 34, and the children.

Neighbours said the older man breeds salukis, which are similar to greyhounds, and they suspect that is why there is a kennel on the property.

The homeowners’ donkey is also often seen wandering around the grounds.

Ryan Brett and Donna Fleury were arrested and charged with bestiality and firearms-related offences.

Brett also faces drug possession, production and trafficking charges.

Fleury has since been released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

Brett appeared briefly in a Milton courtroom Friday and was remanded into custody, so he’ll spend at least the weekend behind bars.