Pit bull owner faces charges in fatal dog attack
Man bitten, other dogs seriously injured in assaults that `terrorized' Auburn Bay
The owner of two pit bulls that attacked several dogs, killing one, in Auburn Bay last month is facing 18 city bylaw charges.
The attacks took place Feb. 25, when the pit bulls — which presumably escaped a yard — charged a man walking his two dogs. The man was bitten and one of his dogs was seriously injured before the pit bulls fled and killed another small dog in the neighbourhood.
Both pit bulls remain in the custody of animal services while dangerous dog designations are being sought, the city said.
Charges laid under the responsible pet ownership bylaw include animals causing death, animals biting a person and having an unlicensed animal.
The charges come with a mandatory court appearance and possible fines of up to $10,000 for each charge, said the city's community standards chief Ryan Pleckaitis.
Pleckaitis said the dogs will undergo an independent behavioural assessment.
“There's a possibility that based on further findings, the animals might be able to be released back to the owner under that `vicious dog' designation,” he said.
The designation would mean the dogs are required to undergo behavioural modification training and that the owner has properly secured fencing, as well as ensuring dogs are muzzled if taken out.
In cases where there's a high likelihood the animals may reoffend, or there's concerns over an owner adhering to conditions, Pleckaitis said it makes sense for a destruction order to be issued.
“If the courts upheld the order, then we would humanely euthanize the animals.”
Pleckaitis said the charges reflect the severity of the incident. “These two dogs terrorized a number of people in that community.”
Husband and wife Greg and Jennifer — who declined to share their last name — were among the victims of the attack. Greg was walking their dogs, Joey and Davey, when the pit bulls charged.
Joey needed surgery to his neck after the incident, and is still recovering.
“We're glad and relieved that the owners have been charged,” Jennifer said.
“This type of negligence on part of the owner, and violence on part of the animals, needs to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Although the city doesn't yet have dog attack data for 2023, Pleckaitis said attacks have been declining. There were 243 in 2015, compared to 160 in 2022, which he attributed partly to COVID -19 and fewer people being out and about.
“Whatever the number is, if it's greater than zero it's too many.”
Pleckaitis said previously that the city's goal is to prevent these incidents from happening in the first place. Responsible ownership information for dogs and other pets is available through the City of Calgary website, and they also host Wise Whiskers workshops for schools, which can be booked free of charge.
The Calgary Humane Society also offers a behaviour help line, training programs and other services to help educate dog owners.