Trooper, the emaciated golden retriever whose story touched animal lovers across B.C., has been adopted -- and his former owner is facing animal cruelty charges.
When Trooper was brought in to the Maple Ridge SPCA in February he was close to death. The young dog, then named Buddy, weighed only 11 kilograms, roughly a third the weight of a healthy golden retriever.
SPCA staff renamed him Trooper, hoping the suffering but friendly dog would survive.
This week, Trooper was adopted by Brad and Athena Hayward, who took over foster care of Trooper when he was healthy enough to leave the SPCA.
The dog remains in good spirits, and his weight has more than doubled.
Trooper's former owner is now facing charges of cruelty to animals and abandonment, according to SCPA animal protection officer Eileen Drever.
Michael Schneider is scheduled to appear in court on April 22 in Coquitlam.
