Maple Ridge boy killed in dog attack

[Mochasmom]

Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004
Maple Ridge boy killed in dog attack

VANCOUVER (CBC) - A three-year-old Maple Ridge boy has died after he was attacked by several dogs in his home Monday.
Four dogs were inside the home at the time – three Rottweilers and a collie. The family called 911 and rushed the boy to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The four dogs were removed from the home by the SPCA late Monday night.

The dogs were being kept in the basement, but somehow got out and attacked the boy. The boy was reportedly sleeping at the time.

Two of the dogs lived in the home, the other dogs were being looked after by the boy's parents.

It's unclear what made the dogs aggressive, but Lori Chortyk of the SPCA says "pack mentality" often plays a role.

Rottweilers are considered by many to be aggressive, but Chortyk says you can not single out specific breeds.

Officials are now deciding whether to destroy the dogs.

The RCMP and the Ministry of Children and Family Development are also investigating.




http://www.mytelus.com/news/article....icleID=1803681

[rottnelmo]

Originally Posted by Mochasmom

The dogs were being kept in the basement, but somehow got out and attacked the boy. The boy was reportedly sleeping at the time.

Something is fishy here. Why would they attack a sleeping boy??? Just doesnt seem right to me.

[Mochasmom]

Originally Posted by rottnelmo

Something is fishy here. Why would they attack a sleeping boy??? Just doesnt seem right to me.

That was my thought too.

[StephanieandToby]

I'd like to know who let the dogs out of the basement...with large, strange dogs in the house I would have child-proofed the basement door. What a tragedy....the family must be devastated.My heart goes out to them.

[RottyMom]

The more I hear about this the more it doesn't make any sense. They say the boy was "found" after the fact. Who was home?

This is extremely tragic.

[Daisy Duke]

kinda weird..........

[hmeadq]

Extremely sad.

Here is another version with a bit more information...
--------------------------------------------
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Winnip...00296-sun.html

Wed, December 29, 2004

Mauling claims child, 3

Dog attack in B.C.

By CP

MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. -- A three-year-old B.C. boy is dead after being mauled by one or more dogs, police say. RCMP were called to a Maple Ridge residence Monday where they found the boy. He had suffered multiple dog bites to the face and head.

The boy was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The child's distraught mother was hospitalized yesterday after police were called back to the residence in the Vancouver suburb.

"The family is devastated," a friend told media on behalf of the family. "The mother is having a very difficult time as are the rest of the family."

Four dogs were in the house at the time of the incident, including three Rottweilers and a collie.

Two of the Rottweilers were being cared for by the family while their owner was away.

CLOSED-OFF BASEMENT

Police said the dogs were being kept in a closed-off basement area but escaped and attacked the child.

It was then that the family called 911 at about noon, police said.

One Rottweiler and the collie have been put down. The other two Rottweilers could be euthanized today.

The euthanizations have been done with the owners' consent, police said.

Neighbour Missie Hall told the Vancouver Province her daughter Rykki, 10, often played at the house with one of the children, a 10-year-old boy, and stayed for a sleep-over once.

Rykki described the Rottweiler as "vicious," and said she was told never to go near it.

RCMP Const. Bill Dalzell told media the death is being investigated by serious crimes investigators.

Yesterday, a bouquet of flowers lay outside the front door, next to a baby car seat lying on a tattered garbage bag in a box next to a sack of trash.

On the window of the front door was a sign saying, "We don't dial 911," with a picture of a handgun. "Guard Dog" signs hung in the yard, one obscured by a coil of rope.

-------------------------------------------

I think the sign says a lot.

Here are a couple other articles on this. Each one has a couple new peices of information.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...756?hub=Canada

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-break...1814-1617r.htm

[Evilhorde]

Originally Posted by hmeadq

On the window of the front door was a sign saying, "We don't dial 911," with a picture of a handgun. "Guard Dog" signs hung in the yard, one obscured by a coil of rope.

I think that about sums it up.

[rottiluver]

This is all over the news...its a sin really, but nothing about a collie was mentioned that I heard about. Just the three rotti's, go figure.

[Sargeant_C]

The boy's mother and three siblings were at home, but said they were unaware of the attack.

How can you not hear dogs attacking a child? would the child not scream? Would the dogs not growl a bit? Would you not hear them walking around? I blame the parents. I have no sympathy for them. They raised mean dogs and then wonder what happened.

[brunie's mom]

This is such a shame.
It could have been so easily preventable.

I read on another board the woman posting was from this same small town where this child was killed. It seems there is more to this story...though it does not change that this child died and the dogs will also die.

It seems that the home was known to the police as there had been trouble there before. Also that some of the children had previously been taken away by Children's Aid. Sounds like there was a lack of supervision, and a pack of dogs.

Another politician will be screaming for BSL.

Gina

[Judi W]

If you read, you will see that the collie was one of the dogs put down.

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

These people should be brought up on charges. I'm sorry there is no way something like this should ever happen to a child in their own home. I'm sure there is more to the story, but the bottom line is this child is dead. Whatever happens now really doesn't matter all the much for the little boy.

[RottyMom]

How are you in a house and not hear dogs attacking your child? How does "someone" find the child later? This is not so much about dogs but about child neglect. This will fuel a new round of BSL BS...in fact it's already happening but I have yet to hear any of the talking heads mention collies in any way shape or form. Although this family has paid dearly for it's error it would seem that these children have been in a less than suitable enviorment for some time now. It would seem to have been just a matter of time before something happened to one of the children in this house. The police and child protection services have been involved with this family extensively. I live about 15 minutes away from where this happened and I know I will feel the effects when out with my dogs.

[K9-man]

Originally Posted by RottyMom

The police and child protection services have been involved with this family extensively.

Once again, a people problem NOT a dog breed peoblem!!

If CPS would have done their job this child would be alive and well!

What a disgrace!!!