Dog owner to pay after husky makes chow chow pregnant

A Shawinigan area man has been ordered by a Quebec small claims court to pay more than $800 because he did not curtail his dog — a husky — from mating with and making pregnant Bella, his neighbour’s chow chow dog.

The judgment, rendered last month, notes that the defendant’s husky managed to get into the neighbour’s fenced back yard last spring.

“Made suddenly pregnant because of the husky, Bella had to be operated upon at great expense to end the pregnancy,” wrote Judge Alain Trudel of the Quebec Court’s small claims division.

Bella’s owner contended she sued the owner of the husky because he had neglected to control his dog, and was seeking the cost of veterinarian fees.

Her claim also included a damaged screen door, although the judgment does not delve into how that occurred.

The total claim was for $711.50. The owner of the husky did not present a defence because he never appeared in court and the judgment was made against him by default.

The owner did not answer questions from the Presse Canadienne.

The judge, meanwhile, believed the plaintiff’s version of events, which he found credible, as well as that of a witness she asked to testify on her behalf.

The ruling also notes that Quebec’s Civil Code makes the owner of an animal responsible for any legal prejudice caused by their pet, whether that pet is in their care, that of another person or whether the animal is lost or run away.

The judge, taking into consideration the absence of any defence provided by the defendant and that he believed the plaintiff had essentially proved the allegations supporting her claim, also awarded her $101 in court costs.

Presse Canadienne