Animal Protection Officers are investigating, after a photo showing a puppy that appeared to be emaciated at a pet store in Edmonton’s west end went viral online.

A photo, showing a puppy with rib and hip bones clearly visible, was posted on Facebook at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The post attached said Justine Elliot and her boyfriend were in the My Pets store in West Edmonton Mall Monday when they saw two puppies up for sale – both reportedly appeared to be extremely skinny.

The photo and post was shared thousands of times, and prompted calls for the Edmonton Humane Society to investigate.

On Wednesday, Edmonton Humane Society spokesperson Warren Dean told CTV News that an investigation into this case was underway.

“We were informed about the situation yesterday [Tuesday], and we can’t investigate any situation without a formal complaint, a formal complaint was made,” Dean said. “I’m not sure exactly of the timeline.

“When that formal complaint came in, our animal protection officers have opened the file and they are currently investigating and details of the investigation will remain confidential until the file is closed.”

CTV News spoke with a manager at the store, who said the dog in question was in a deworming stage when the photo was taken, and is now healthy.

The manager said they were not authorized to let CTV News cameras into the store to see the dog.

EHS said Animal Protection Officers regularly check pet stores in Edmonton.

“Our animal protection officers do monthly checks of all the pet stores in the Edmonton area, and then if there is a complaint, like in this situation, they will investigate further if they have to with that complaint,” Dean said.

“We are keeping an eye on them, we work with them,”

As the investigation continues, Dean said EHS officials were thankful for help from the public.

“We appreciate the public, any time they can help us out with situations like this, so that we can get all the information, all the proper information from the complainant, what they saw, and then of course from the people that are involved with the animal as well,” Dean said.

“It’s great that the public steps up and has their eye on situations like this, so that the proper authorities can be notified and the proper procedures can be followed to ensure the animal is looked after.”

With files from Kim Taylor