Fatal Dog Attack Near Ottawa

In a tragic incident over the weekend, a 17 month old toddler was mauled to death by her grandparent’s dog. There was no history of agression with the dog, a Shepherd Rottweiler mix, and it was apparently raised with children and well socialized.

While the story is undoubtedly horrific, I was most shocked by the even handed coverage it was given in the reporting newspaper, the Ottawa Citizen. After outlining the chain of events which led to the attack and the child’s death, the Citizen reporter then mentions that this is the first dog attack related death since Ontario’s so-called ‘Dangerous Dog’ act was enabled. He then includes quotes from Emile Thrien, a spokesman for the Canada Safety Council, including this one:

“Actually, the lead biter is the Labrador retriever,” said Mr. Thrien. “The problem is that if you try to ban a particular breed, you never stop.”

In an even better example of even handedness, the reporter also interviewed the president of the Rottweiler Club of Canada –

Adele Foley, president of the Rottweiler Club of Canada, says Rottweilers are often portrayed as vicious dogs.

“The breed itself is actually a cattle dog,” she said.

“It’s a big, smart, muscular dog. So if people want to use this dog for the wrong reason, they do it.”

Ms. Foley said above all, the responsibility lies with owners, not the dog.

“Owning a dog is not a right, it’s a privilege,” she said. “People can’t leave children alone with dogs. The dogs need to be fenced.”

This is, undeniably, a horrid incident, and my heart goes out to the family. I’d also like to thank the Ottawa Citizen reporter for giving us what could well have been just another ‘Dogs are bad, ban them all story’, but turned into a sadly well written illustration of why there really truly are no bad breeds, just bad dogs.

You can read the whole article after the cut.

Carol

Article from the Ottawa Citizen –

 

Fatal mauling

Family dog attacks, kills toddler in Smiths Falls area

 

BY CIARA BYRNE AND KATIE LEWIS, Ottawa Citizen

Montague Township Korie Lyn Edwards, a bright blond-haired, blue-eyed toddler had spent Canada Day at her grandparents’ house.

A little before 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the inquisitive 17-month-old was playing outside in the yard, when she wandered over to the family dog, a 10-year-old Rottweiler-German Shepherd cross that was tied up outside her grandparents’ home in Montague Township about 70 kilometres southwest of Ottawa,

The dog had no history of violence, but for reasons still not known, it snapped, mauling Korie Lyn so viciously that she died of her injuries after being airlifted to CHEO from the Smiths Falls Hospital.

Korie Lyn Edwards was fatally mauled Sunday night.

“She was my spitfire and she’s gone now,” said Katherine Ivey, the little girl’s grandmother yesterday, adding she was too upset to say anything more.

Outside the bungalow on Montague Boundary Road where the attack took place, family and friends were stunned and distraught.

A cluster of mourners sat on the lawn of the woodframe bungalow. A man, voice worn by sadness, said family members were simply too devastated to speak. Nearby, a woman paced the length of the driveway.

Hester Grodde, who runs a cattle farm on the rural road, said she didn’t know Korie Lyn, but called her death a tragedy. “Like everyone I’m saddened,” she said. “This is very, very unfortunate.”

OPP Const. Paige Whiting said the family dog was socialized and accustomed to having children around.

“The dog did not have any prior history,” said Const. Whiting.

Neighbours said they recalled a number of dogs living at the house, but were unaware of any problems with the animals. Others, however, said they’d been concerned about the pet Rottweiler-Shepherd.

Emile Thrien, a spokesman for the Canada Safety Council, estimates about 460,000 Canadians are bitten by dogs every year.

“It’s an awful way to die,” said Mr. Thrien. “It’s vicious and brutal. These dogs are very strong and when they do attack, the severity is extreme.”

In 2005, under the Dog Owner’s Liability Act, Ontario became the first province to ban people from acquiring pit bull-type dogs. Existing pit bull-type animals must be neutered as well as leashed and muzzled in public. Violators face a maximum penalty of $10,000. Although Mr. Thrien says he doesn’t agree with breed-specific bans, nobody has died since the implementation of the ban.

“Actually, the lead biter is the Labrador retriever,” said Mr. Thrien. “The problem is that if you try to ban a particular breed, you never stop.”

The dog that mauled Korie Lyn was a Rottweiler-German shepherd cross.

Adele Foley, president of the Rottweiler Club of Canada, says Rottweilers are often portrayed as vicious dogs.

“The breed itself is actually a cattle dog,” she said.

“It’s a big, smart, muscular dog. So if people want to use this dog for the wrong reason, they do it.”

Ms. Foley said above all, the responsibility lies with owners, not the dog.

“Owning a dog is not a right, it’s a privilege,” she said. “People can’t leave children alone with dogs. The dogs need to be fenced.”

The dog that mauled Korie Lyn has been turned over to animal control and will be euthanized today, at the request of the family.

The Lanark Country OPP continue to investigate the case in Montague Township, but “charges are not expected,” said Const. Whiting.

An autopsy is scheduled for today.A 17-month-old girl was mauled to death by the family dog Sunday evening just before 6:30 p.m in Montague township, near Smiths Falls.

Korie Lyn Edwards was wandering over to where the family dog was tied up when the dog, a 10-year-old German Shephard-Rottweiler, attacked.

The little girl was rushed to Smith Falls hospital and then airlifted to CHEO where she died from her injuries.

Lanark Country OPP are investigating the case.