Canine killed, boy injured in pair of assaults involving canines from identical dwelling

Bylaw officers have charged the proprietor of two canines, one in all which allegedly inflicted life-threatening accidents on a 12-year-old boy in Stittsville earlier this month and one other that allegedly killed a neighbour’s canine in December.

The Metropolis of Ottawa bylaw division has issued prices below provincial and municipal laws, together with failing to forestall an unprovoked canine assault, failing to register a canine and having greater than three canines over the age of 5 months in a single dwelling.

One of many incidents was so extreme the proprietor is scheduled to seem in courtroom the place a choose will decide the suitable high-quality. One of many canines has been surrendered and shall be euthanized, whereas bylaw waits on a courtroom order to grab the opposite.

Bylaw mentioned the animals are a combined breed. Neighbours say the canines every seem like a pit bull breed.

Jason Proulx says one in all them attacked his son Tyson final week.

The 12-year-old, who’s now dwelling from the hospital recovering, was at a buddy’s home final Friday evening when he was reportedly attacked by a canine.

Round 9 p.m., his dad obtained a name from one other guardian telling him Tyson was taken to CHEO, jap Ontario’s youngsters’s hospital in Ottawa.

Proulx mentioned he remembers the nurses requested him, “are you ready for what you are about to stroll into?”

His son had lacerations throughout his face and scalp and puncture wounds throughout his physique, Proulx mentioned. Medical doctors advised him there was additionally injury to his son’s backbone and lungs.

Proulx mentioned there was blood in all places.

“I believed I used to be about to lose my son,” he mentioned.

The 12-year-old underwent seven hours of surgical procedure that concerned each facial reconstruction and quite a few blood transfusions. Proulx mentioned there are more likely to be lingering accidents and scars that final the remainder of his son’s life.

Proulx mentioned he quickly discovered a few second canine dwelling on the identical dwelling that reportedly killed one other canine late in 2022.

Shih-tzu attacked in December

Stefanie Sales space lives subsequent door to the proprietor of the 2 canines, and across the nook from Proulx. She mentioned one in all her neighbour’s canines got here operating by a gate between their two yards and bit down on her eight-year-old shih-tzu in December, shaking him till he had gone quiet and limp.

“I felt hopeless. I did not know the way to get the canine off,” mentioned Sales space tearfully. 

“My coronary heart broke for Dexter as a result of I knew he was in a lot ache and similar to, watching it … it was devastating.”

Her neighbour’s son finally managed to get the canine again inside their dwelling and Sales space mentioned she rushed her personal canine to obtain emergency veterinary care, however was advised Dexter’s accidents had been too extreme.

Sales space reported the incident to bylaw, and officers got here to research, however mentioned the canine remained along with her neighbour.

When she heard in regards to the canine assault on Proulx’s son, Sales space mentioned she was “furious” and reached out to Proulx.

“I am unable to perceive. This should not occur. This isn’t an remoted incident,” mentioned Proulx.

‘One of many worst’ assaults, bylaw director says

Roger Chapman, the town’s director of bylaw and regulatory providers, mentioned bylaw cannot forcibly take somebody’s canine after an assault and not using a courtroom order.

Within the case of the assault on Sales space’s shih-tzu, Chapman mentioned officers decided the neighbour’s canine was a security threat, however the neighbour refused to give up her pet voluntarily. 

Bylaw then had no selection however to attend for a choose to log off on a seizure of the animal, however they proceed to attend attributable to backlogs, Chapman added.

Within the case of the assault on Tyson Proulx, Chapman mentioned the proprietor voluntarily surrendered the canine to be euthanized.

“It is an especially tragic occasion,” Chapman mentioned of the assault on the 12-year-old.

“I have been on this enterprise for a few years and I’ve seen some fairly important assaults and bites up to now, however this definitely is without doubt one of the worst that I’ve seen throughout my profession.”

Jason Proulx and Sales space need modifications to the regulation to assist defend others from canines with a historical past of violence.

“My son virtually loses his life and he is scarred for all times,” mentioned Proulx, calling the system “a complete failure.”

Bylaw is just not naming the proprietor for privateness causes. CBC requested remark from an individual it believes to be the proprietor of the canines, however didn’t obtain a response.