PORT HARDY—The owner of a pair of large-breed dogs who attacked and injured a woman and her pet will keep her dogs. But the animals will no longer be allowed to run free in their unfenced yard.
The District of Port Hardy and its Animal Control office this week designated the cane corso mastiffs Dangerous Dogs and signed a 13-point agreement with the owner that has resulted in construction of a fenced run on the rental property and other terms.
“If any one of those points is not adhered to, we will take the dogs,” said Allison McCarrick, finance officer for the District.
Two of the three mastiffs kept at the Hastings Street residence left their yard and crossed the street to attack an Australian cattle dog/border collie cross. That dog’s owner, Deborah Crooks of Port Hardy, suffered bite wounds in the attack and her dog, Sheila, required surgery for injuries to her neck and hind leg.
“We’re not happy with the decision at all,” said Crooks. “The (District) had us come in and meet them but they told us what they’d already decided in talking to the owner. We didn’t have a say in it whatsoever.”
In a written statement, the District said its decision was guided by the Animal Control Bylaw.
“This agreement enforces many of the regulations within the bylaw and is structured to ensure the dogs are no longer at large,” the statement said. “This file will remain open and the District Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officer as well as the Animal Control Officer will continue to ensure the terms of this stringent agreement are adhered to on an ongoing basis.”