A woman videotaped swinging a dog by its leash during an altercation in Dartmouth last week is facing charges.
Halifax Regional Police say they responded to a physical altercation between two groups of women in the 600 block of Windmill Road on the evening of July 1.
The altercation started after two women in one vehicle confronted two women in a second vehicle after being cut off in a drive-thru. Those involved did not wish to pursue assault charges.
"There were initial reports of a dog being involved, but the extent was not clear at the time," police said in a news release Wednesday, adding officers checked on two dogs in one vehicle at the time and they appeared to be in good health.
On Monday, police launched an investigation after "becoming aware of a video of the incident circulating on social media depicting the mistreatment of one of the dogs by a woman who is not the dog's owner."
Clarissa Angela Crawley, 27, of Dartmouth was arrested Wednesday morning. She was scheduled to appear in Dartmouth provincial court to face charges of assault with a weapon and wilfully causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the event and has not yet talked with police to call them at 902-490-5020 or submit an anonymous tip to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers.
