Charges have been laid against a Nanaimo man after an animal abuse investigation that began this summer.
According to police, 36-year-old Duane Vallee “was observed beating a German Shepherd while walking it along a public street.”
An RCMP release adds that he was allegedly “kicking and punching” the dog that was in his care when he was spotted by several witnesses on July 29, 2025.
Those witnesses and images of the accused captured on nearby surveillance cameras helped the RCMP identify Vallee as a suspect before arresting him on Aug. 7, 2025.
“The incident was also shared on social media and garnered significant interest from the public, which assisted investigators in locating the suspect,” noted R/Cst. Gary O’Brien through a media release.
The dog was still in Vallee’s care when he was brought into custody, but was seized by police that day and surrendered to the BC SPCA.
He isn’t just facing a charge over the alleged animal abuse, as the RCMP says Vallee earned two more charges after attempting to assault the arresting officer.
Vallee was scheduled to make his first court appearance in Nanaimo at 9 am today on charges of causing unnecessary pain/suffering to an animal, uttering threats and wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
