Victim in fatal dog attack waited half hour for ambulance

A senior woman who was attacked by three dogs on Sunday afternoon waited 30 minutes before an ambulance arrived to take her to hospital, where she later died from her injuries, according to officials.

Police responded to the northwest community of Capitol Hill in the 1500 block of 21st Avenue N.W. at about 2 p.m. on Sunday, finding a senior woman with serious injuries.

Investigators believe the woman was in a back alley doing some yard work when a neighbour's three dogs escaped their yard and attacked her.

Police say the 86-year-old woman died from her injuries in hospital.

A man who lives behind the victim said his wife called 911 after seeing the incident unfold in the alleyway between their homes.

The man, who identified himself only as Lane, said bylaw officers were quick to respond, arriving in the alley less than two minutes after the call, but paramedics took more than half an hour to show up.

Alberta Health Services said it has started a review of the response time for the incident, which it confirmed was about 30 minutes, and is reaching out to the victim's family directly.

“This is longer than we expect, and is outside of our target response times,” said AHS spokesperson James Wood. “EMS was challenged with extremely high volume at the time of this incident, meaning there were no ambulances immediately available.”

Lane said he ran out of his house to help the woman as she slumped, severely injured, against a garage door.

Police said the neighbours and dog owner removed the dogs before first responders arrived.

“I only saw the owner of the dogs hauling two dogs back into the yard. I did not see the third dog,” Lane said Monday morning. He added that the woman's name was Betty, but neighbours knew her as Rusty or Red.

“I held her upright so that she wasn't leaning back and choking again and just held her. The owner of the dogs came out with a couple of towels shortly thereafter. We put it around her neck and her back and shoulders to try and keep her warm.”

Even with a quicker ambulance response, Lane said there was likely nothing paramedics could have done for Betty due to the severity of her injuries, describing them as “catastrophic.”

In a short update on Monday, police said they're continuing to interview witnesses and are working with bylaw officers to determine potential charges.

Police previously said those charges could include negligence causing death or a bylaw offence, depending on what's uncovered in the investigation.

Police said the three dogs involved are believed to be a North American pit bull terrier mix, a North American Staffordshire mix and an American pit bull.

“This was an extremely tragic event that resulted in the death of an innocent woman,” said Calgary Police Service Det. Kerry Parsons.

“Our condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the victim, as we continue to investigate this incident.”

Calgary bylaw services confirmed they seized the dogs on Sunday afternoon and there is no risk to the community. Police said the dogs remain in holding as the investigation continues.

Lane said the dog owner was “gutted” after the incident.

“I thought he was going to throw up,” he said, adding the man co-operated with police and bylaw officers.