Life-long Airdrie resident Sonya Young wants to remind dog owners to be responsible for the behaviour of their pets.
Late last month, Young’s dog Gretzky was attacked at the off-leash area, adjacent to Nose Creek Park, by two large dogs.
The attack left Gretzky, a four-year-old silver Labrador retriever, with several wounds that required stitches and a $600 veterinary bill.
“The biggest thing is that if your dogs can’t behave or socialize in a dog park, don’t bring them because most dogs are just there to play,” said Young.
The incident took place at around 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 24, while Gretzky was in the care of Young’s dad.
Young’s dad was throwing the ball for the dog to fetch when one of the large dogs nabbed the ball. Gretzky also went after the ball, chasing after the other dog.
When the large dog dropped the ball, Gretzky grabbed it. That is when the second dog attacked and was quickly joined by the first dog.
“The owner of these two didn’t really do anything,” said Young, adding Gretzky cowered in fear. “My dad was pretty upset that the owner didn’t really do anything to get the dogs off of our dog.”
Young’s dad was finally able to break up the fight and quickly packed up and took Gretzky home. About an hour later, the family noticed a bleeding wound along Gretzky’s rib cage.
“We could see the muscle, so we took him to the vet,” said Young.
Young said her dog has never before been involved in any incidents, although they take him to multiple dog parks in the region, including some in Calgary.
Since the incident, the family hasn’t returned to a dog park, said Young.
Young said vicious dogs should never be allowed off leash.
“If your dog can’t socialize with other dogs, a dog park is not the place for them to be,” said Young.
The City of Airdrie’s dog control bylaw states pet owners must ensure dogs are under constant supervision of a person competent to control it all times.
It also states “dog owners must ensure their dogs are under control in designated off-leash dog parks.” It also says dogs must not chase, threaten or attack a person or animals, cause damage to property or other animals.
If a dog bites another animal, its owner is liable for a fine of $350 when a dog causes harm to another animal.
According to Poburan, Airdrie’s municipal enforcement officers have given out tickets for similar offences, but he said it can be difficult to find the owner of the errant dogs after the fact.
“If it happens during work hours, they should call municipal enforcement,” said Darryl Poburan, City manager of municipal enforcement. “If it happens after hours, they should call the RCMP right away. The quicker the information comes in the more chance of finding the perpetrator.”
Poburan said it is important to get as much information as possible if you or your pet is the victim of a dog attack.
“If it does happen we need a proper description,” he said. “If they are in a vehicle, take the license number down.”
For more information, visit www.airdrie.ca
