A Winnipeg dog owner wants a dog removed from the Linden Woods neighbourhood following a fatal attack.
On the morning of Aug. 13, Carolina Fridman said she was walking her Shih Tzu Bichon, Snoopy when a Labrador dog suddenly came out from behind her and bit her dog around the neck.
"There was a pool of blood," Fridman told CTV News Tuesday.
She said the attack happened in the 100 block of Lindenwood Drive East.
She said the Labrador was not on a leash.
Fridman brought Snoopy to the vet, but the dog did not survive the attack.
She feels that the area will not be safe until the dog is removed from the home.
“I don’t want it put down,” she added. “To be honest, I want snoopy to be at home with me.”
Fridman said talking about Snoopy's death, more than a week after, still hurts. She is speaking out, so everyone in the area is alerted about the dog.
“I just don’t want that dog in the neighbourhood. That dog should go the country," she said.
The City of Winnipeg said due to privacy issues it could not comment on the attack, but explained that dog owners are responsible for their pets.
In a statement to CTV News, the city said:
“We’re not able to comment on this specific incident, as the number and nature of complaints and/or details of resulting investigations against a particular owner or property constitutes the personal information of an individual. Under the privacy provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the disclosure of this information is deemed to be an unreasonable invasion of privacy.”
CTV visited the home Fridman said the Labrador lives, but no one answered the door.
Some dog owners in the area told CTV News the attack is upsetting, and want the owner held responsible.
“I think it's a freak accident, it's not typical of this neighborhood that a dog gets out and attacks another dog," said Mike Sambork who was out walking his Shih Tzu, Zookie, on Tuesday.
More attacks in the summer:
Veterinarian Dr. Ron Worb said more dogs are out in the summer, and attacks are more common.
Worb, who treats attacked dogs almost every week, said the injuries range from minors scratches to major life-threatening wounds.
Worb said even owners with the best of intentions can end up in trouble.
"If their dogs get loose, even if it's by accident, because their gate was left accidently left open, or it's faulty, they are not bad people, but they are ultimately responsible for any of the trauma or damage that their pets may inflict," said Worb, chief veterinarian with Anderson Animal Hospital and Wellness Centre in St Boniface.
Worb said when dogs fight, people can also get hurt, and it’s important to keep a distance.
Dangerous dog owners:
The city said if citizens are concerned about a dangerous dog in their neighbourhood to contact 311 and submit a report.
After investigating, Animal Services can designate a dog as dangerous if it's likely to cause significant harm or injury to people or animals.
Additional responsibilities of a dangerous dog owner include, carrying liability insurance with a minimum of $1, 000, 000.
When on the owner’s property, ensuring the dog is securely confined indoors, or kept in a pen.
Off the owner’s property, the dog must be muzzled and restrained by a leash.
