Police say shoes with bone and “meat-like substance” found on B.C. beach a hoax

VICTORIA – Three shoes discovered on a Victoria, B.C., beach with bones and a “meat-like” substance inside has turned out to be nothing more than a hoax.

Victoria Police confirmed that the discovery of runners found on the shore turned out to be a nasty trick.

The shoes — two of which appeared to be child-size — were found Thursday on the city’s popular Clover Point.

Victoria Police spokesman Const. Mike Russell says it’s a “pretty sick” thing to put a community through.

Russell says police need to send a message that this type of incident is unacceptable and these pranksters need to be found.

Over the past five years, at least nine runners have been found with human remains inside along the shores of British Columbia, while there have also been at least two other hoaxes.