A dog that helped call attention to the need for stiffer animal cruelty penalties has passed away.
The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society confirmed on its official website that Justice died on Sunday, surrounded by his human family, at the age of 11. The humane society said Justice had been suffering from a "brief illness".
"We are heartbroken to share that Justice, the tiny dog whose story brought our community together to advocate for better laws for animals, crossed the Rainbow Bridge [Sunday]," read the humane society statement. "Days before Christmas in 2015, Justice was found near death in a field with his mouth and paws bound with tape. His spirit and will to live touched people around the world. After a lengthy recovery, Justice found a wonderful home with a family who adored him. We are incredibly grateful to them for showering Justice with love and helping him live his very best life. Rest in peace, sweet boy."
Justice's plight generated international attention after he was found in December 2015 next to the Canadian Tire store on Walker Road in Windsor. As a result of the animal's injuries, Justice could not move, had trouble breathing, and had swollen paws.
Rescued by the humane society, Justice was nursed back to health and adopted by a local family in July 2016. Humane Society Executive Director Melanie Coulter told WindsorNewsToday.ca at the time that many people wanted to adopt Justice.
"Over the first month or so when he was here we easily had over 1,000 people that inquired about adopting him but when it came down to no other dogs, no other cats and no small children that unfortunately eliminated a lot of potential great homes," said Coulter.
The man convicted of abusing Justice and leaving him to die was sentenced to two years in jail, three years' probation, and was barred from owning an animal for 25 years. While Coulter was pleased at the time to see the man get a stiff sentence, the humane society continued to push for harsher penalties.
"It's a difficult question because when people see what Justice went through they think that two years is inadequate and you certainly could make an argument that the maximum under the criminal code should be higher," said Coulter.
---with files from Adelle Loiselle, Jason Viau, and Maureen Revait
