Saanich police say the owner of a dog accused of biting and ultimately killing a smaller dog Tuesday evening at Mount Doug has come forward.
The dog owner “identified themselves” to police and is “fully cooperating” with Saanich Animal Control, according to police.
The mauling occurred at 7:15 p.m. near the summit of the park. The woman was walking her small dog and had stopped near the park’s lookout when a larger, off-leash dog ran at her.
“They had a short interaction in which the dog bit the owner and went after the small dog and essentially mauled the smaller dog,” said Const. Markus Anastasiades with Saanich Police.
At that point, Anastasiades said the other dog owner leashed his pet. The woman rushed to a veterinary hospital, but ultimately, ended up having to put her dog down. She also suffered minor injuries.
“It is a public safety concern because a person was bit by this dog,” said Anastasiades.
Update: The owner of the dog involved in the incident at Mount Doug has come forward and is fully cooperating with Saanich Animal Control Officers. Thank you to the public and media partners for creating awareness of this incident. https://t.co/YNanwGWGoy
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) April 9, 2021
Police are reminding the public that although dogs are allowed off-leash in most Saanich parks — including Mount Doug — under bylaw, dogs must either be leashed or kept under “effective” control in all public places in Saanich.
“This is an example of what we believe to be not effective control,” said Anastasiades.
Effective control means the dog must remain within the owner’s sight and immediately return when called.
The penalty for breaking a law in the municipality’s animal bylaw is a minimum fine of $100.
The file is under investigation by Saanich Animal Control.
Jeff Lawrence
Jasmine Bala
