Facebook posts lead to harassment charge for St. Mary’s woman

A woman from St. Mary’s is facing charges for allegedly harassing a couple in Guelph over their dogs.

Police say they started getting calls earlier this month from people concerned about the wellbeing of two dogs at a home in the south side of the Royal City.

The homeowners reported several instances of people showing up at their home, yelling at them, trying to get into their backyard, and even flying a drone over their house trying to get photos.

Investigators spoke to a Facebook poster whom they say refused to take down posts naming the Guelph couple who own these dogs.

Police say the poster was calling on people to boycott the couple’s small business or go to their house — she even allegedly offered to share their address with anyone who asked.

A 57-year-old woman from St. Mary’s was arrested Tuesday for harassing communications.

Officials from Provincial Animal Welfare Services came to the couple’s home several times, and reported “the dogs are being properly cared for and are not in danger.”

Police spokesperson, Scott Tracey, tells 570 NewsRadio that “several Facebook users were aware of (complaints about the dogs) and disagree with the results of this investigation and believe the animals are being mistreated. We are not aware of any connection between the accused and complainants except that she became aware of the allegations and began posting about them.”

She will appear in court Feb. 21.