Man acquitted after canine ‘theft’ turns out to be ‘rescue’

An animal lover who potentially saved the life of a dog but ended up being arrested for stealing the canine was eventually freed of the charge by a Bridgetown magistrate on Wednesday.

When Shakiel Khalil Corbin, 26, of Denny Road, The Whim, St Peter appeared before Magistrate Alison Burke in the District ‘A’ Traffic Court, he pleaded guilty to stealing the dog, valued at $9 800, between February 16 and March 3, 2024.

But as police prosecutor Constable Ralph Rollock explained the circumstances surrounding the complaint brought against Corbin by the dog’s owner Zakir Hussain, a different picture emerged.

The court heard that Corbin, a mechanic, found the animal in a “very bad condition”, took it home and cared for it. He posted the dog on social media with an appeal for the owners to collect the animal, but no one came forward.

Constable Rollock added that the accused contacted the RSPCA and did everything possible to restore the dog to good health, but he was subsequently arrested and charged.

In mitigation, Corbin’s attorney Dave Porter pointed out that his client had reached out to the owner to collect the animal, but Hussain had instead reported to police that the dog had been stolen.

After hearing the facts, Magistrate Burke ruled that Corbin, who is not known to the court, be discharged.

She noted that the dog could have died if he had not taken care of it. In fact, the magistrate suggested that Corbin should be reimbursed for the money he invested in the dog’s wellbeing.