Woman accused of abusing dog aboard TTC subway appears in court
Posted October 11, 2017 6:19 pm.
Last Updated October 11, 2017 6:32 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A 37-year-old woman who made headlines back in August after a video showing an alleged scene of animal cruelty aboard a subway train was in court on Wednesday.
Teresa Rutledge was at the Scarborough courthouse facing a charge of willfully permitting pain and suffering of an animal.
A video which surfaced back in August shows a small dog whimpering while a woman strikes the animal, tugs on its fur and violently pulls its leash.
Someone on the Line 2 train activated the emergency alarm and uniformed crews escorted the woman away at St. George Station.
Police interviewed the woman and witnesses and ultimately issued her a warning, releasing her with the dog. But after the video of the woman’s behaviour on the train surfaced, police notified the OSPCA, which stepped in and seized the dog.
Inside the courtroom on Wednesday Rutledge appeared agitated, pacing the halls of the courthouse.
Following her appearance, Rutledge sprinted from cameras into a waiting pick up truck.
The little dog, described as a Chinese Crested-type breed, is no longer in the woman’s care.
Rutledge’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 19.
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OSPCA investigating after video surfaces of dog abuse on subway
