Quote:
Originally Posted by Rene Allegrini  Link and article provided by fightBSL group and Jodi Preis
The boy suffered injuries to his face and hands. Police do not know who owns the dogs, which were running loose at the time. The dogs are now in the custody of animal control. |
I just read this at the Ontario Globe and Mail:
The owners of the Rottweilers, too, remain anonymous, although they are known to local authorities because the dogs had escaped their backyard pen at least twice before, said Jim Gillis, who heads municipal law enforcement in Hamilton.
When bylaw officers contacted the owners on Boxing Day morning - roughly 18 hours after the attack - "they believed their dogs were still in the backyard," Mr. Gillis said.
His office has nonetheless concluded that the couple were "responsible owners," who took good care of the 16-month-old Rottweilers, a male and a female that appear to be from the same litter.
The dogs had food, water and shelter and their owners had attended obedience classes with them, Mr. Gillis said. And on learning about what happened, the "very distraught" couple immediately surrendered them to authorities.
That means after 10 days of scrutiny for rabies at the city's animal control shelter, where both were confined yesterday, the Rottweilers will be euthanized.
And there, it seems, the matter will end, to the dismay of Mr. Berka, who believes that "if you want a dog like that you should be held accountable."
But there is little scope in the Criminal Code for laying charges for a dog attack of this type, and Mr. Gillis said his office, too, is unlikely to pursue matters.
"The owners signed the dogs over right away, we've got them off the street, and they will be euthanized."
What will linger, however, at least for those involved, is the memory of a day in which joy and celebration were interrupted by a savage, bloody assault on a defenceless little boy.
"This was not a Christmas Day anyone wants to repeat," Ms. English said.
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