Owner outraged

Large dog euthanized after posing threat to Humane Society staff

A large dog has been euthanized after biting a person in Alberton.

Police were called to a complaint Tuesday that a dog on the loose had bit an adult.

Cpl. Jerrie MacLeod says West Prince RCMP secured the dog.

P.E.I. Humane Society executive director Marla Somersall says the animal was seized under the Dog Act.

“This dog became a public safety issue…we have had complaints says.

“It’s not our first experience with this dog, unfortunately.’’

She says the dog was put down not long after being sheltered at the Humane Society because he posed a risk to staff and animals.

Somersall says the dog, believed to be a mixed breed including possible Bullmastiff, was showing considerable aggression by growling, barking and lunging.

“He was a very big, strong dog,’’ she says. “He was starting to break out of the kennel.’’ in the past,’’ she

The dog’s owner, Noel Carragher, 39, of Alberton was devastated by the loss of his pet, called Diesel.

He says his dog was a twoand-a-half year-old male, neutered pitbull/shepherd mix that did not deserve to be euthanized.

“They just took my dog and they killed him because he’s a pitbull,’’ says Carragher.

“The people that know my dog know what a beautiful dog he was…he was an awesome dog. He wasn’t a cross dog.’’

Somersall says the P.E.I. Humane Society does not discriminate against any specific breed.

“All types of breeds bite,’’ she notes.

Carragher says he had tied his dog up behind Vogue Optical in Alberton. When he came out of the store, he says there were three to four police cars, and his dog was in one of the vehicles.

He says his dog had never bit or attacked any person or dog, although he assumes “all kinds of false complaints’’ were made about his pet.

He adds police “definitely have an issue with me.’’