Boy, 11, killed by large dogs while visiting Edmonton home

EDMONTON — An 11-year-old boy died after he was attacked by two large dogs during a visit to a home in Edmonton.

Police responded to the attack in the city’s south side on Monday night. Officers said the boy was severely injured and they attempted lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived.

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

The owner of the dogs lives at the home the boy had been visiting, police said.

The dogs were seized after the boy was killed. The city said they were at its Animal Care and Control Centre.

Police did not disclose the breed of the dogs, but described them as “very large.”

It emerged on Tuesday that animal control officers were called about two recent dog attacks at the home. One of the complaints was concluded without charges and the other was still under investigation, animal control spokesman Chris Webster wrote in an email.

There had also been complaints at the home in the past year about dogs barking, Webster said, which resulted in warnings and one ticket.

Webster said the city made significant steps to address and investigate dog attacks and restricted dogs after council provided additional budget resources last year.

A five-member team was formed, Webster said. A key aspect of its work involves monitoring restricted and dangerous dogs with attack records.

Police did not say whether the owner of the dogs that killed the boy would be charged.

Last month, a woman in Toronto was charged after a dog attack left a child with lifealtering injuries.

Police have said that dog was off leash and inside a playground area when it charged, bit and dragged the child to the ground.

The woman, who is accused of fleeing the area with the dog, faces charges including negligence causing bodily harm.

The owners of three large dogs were charged under a Calgary bylaw after an 86-yearold was killed in 2022. Betty Ann Williams was attacked while gardening after the dogs escaped from a nearby backyard.