CTrain Cruelty, Humane Society Heist: The Spiraling Cost of Neglect on Our City's Streets
People are talking about a recent case involving a man charged with animal abuse, raising questions about pet safety in the city. The dog is now safe with the Calgary Humane Society.
When a City's Compassion is Tested
Calgarians pride themselves on community spirit, but this year, a series of disturbing incidents involving animal abuse has truly tested our collective conscience and stretched our public services thin. Joshua James Mulligan, 41, now faces a raft of charges after repeatedly abusing his dog in plain sight – first on our CTrain system, and then, shockingly, by stealing the dog from the very facility tasked with its protection, the Calgary Humane Society.
The saga began on a July morning at the Marlborough CTrain station, a locale already familiar to those concerned about public safety in the Northeast. Calgary Transit peace officers, monitoring CCTV, witnessed Mulligan striking and kicking his dog. He vanished before they could intervene. Months later, in December, the same man was again caught on CCTV, this time at the City Hall CTrain station, assaulting his dog. This time, peace officers detained him, and the dog was thankfully seized and placed in the care of the Calgary Humane Society. Mulligan failed to meet the conditions for regaining ownership, and the dog was forfeited, a small victory for animal welfare. But the story didn't end there. Days later, Mulligan brazenly entered the Calgary Humane Society property and stole the dog from a volunteer walker. He was arrested, charged with theft under $5,000, and ordered to stay away. Yet, in a display of persistent disregard for authority, he returned twice more, leading to further arrests.
The Heavy Toll on Calgary's Resources and Residents
Beyond the heartbreak of animal cruelty, these repeated incidents highlight a significant strain on Calgary's essential services and, by extension, on your wallet. Each intervention by Calgary Transit peace officers, every police response, and the subsequent investigations and arrests consume taxpayer-funded resources that are already under pressure. The Calgary Police Service, for instance, has grappled with a reported $28 million budget shortfall for 2025, which was recently covered by the city's Fiscal Stability Reserve. Incidents like this only add to the demands on an already stretched police force and judicial system.
Our transit system, too, bears the brunt. Calgary Transit's Public Transit Safety Strategy, an initiative supported by an annual $15 million investment, aims to address social disorder and improve safety on the CTrain. The presence of peace officers and extensive CCTV at stations like Marlborough and City Hall were instrumental in detecting these abuses, but the repeated nature of such events, particularly in areas historically prone to safety concerns, can chip away at public confidence in transit security.
Then there's the Calgary Humane Society. As a non-profit organization that largely relies on public donations for its operations and receives only minimal government funding, usually for specific programs or infrastructure upgrades rather than core operations, taking in and caring for seized animals like Mulligan's dog places a direct financial burden on them. Increased demands from cruelty cases, escalating veterinary costs, and a surge in owner surrenders due to the high cost of living collectively strain their ability to help all animals in need. When you donate to the Humane Society, you're directly supporting the care of animals rescued from situations like this. The dog in this case is now safe and under their ownership, a testament to their critical work.
Beyond the Bars: Addressing Systemic Cracks
Animal cruelty is no minor infraction in Alberta. Under the provincial Animal Protection Act, penalties can include fines up to $20,000 per count, while the federal Criminal Code can impose imprisonment for up to five years, or even seven years for certain severe acts under the PACT Act. Calgary's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw also clearly outlines requirements for animal care and prohibits unnecessary suffering. The Calgary Humane Society is the provincially mandated agency responsible for investigating these cruelty cases within the city.
However, the charges against Mr. Mulligan also include possession of methamphetamine and multiple breaches of release orders. This detail hints at a complex web of underlying issues, often involving addiction and other systemic challenges that can trap individuals in a cycle of crime and instability. Critics of a purely punitive approach to justice argue that without adequate investment in social services, mental health support, and addiction treatment, we may fail to address the root causes of such repeated offending. Community advocates suggest that focusing more on rehabilitation and preventative social programs could, in the long run, reduce the incidence of these heartbreaking cases, lessening the burden on our emergency services and animal welfare organizations, and ultimately fostering a more compassionate community for every Calgarian and their beloved pets.
Protecting Our Most Vulnerable
The swift and coordinated action by Calgary Police Service and the Calgary Humane Society in this case underscores our city's commitment to upholding animal welfare laws and public safety. Yet, this entire ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing pressures on our public services and the broader societal issues that demand our attention. If you witness animal abuse, your vigilance is crucial. Contact the police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234, or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477, visiting www.calgarycrimestoppers.org, or using the P3 Tips app.
