PORT McNEILL – Two Rottweillers will be more securely penned after they attacked and killed a small dog last week.
Timbitt, a Yorkshire Terrier X belonging to the Slater family, was attacked by the two dogs Wednesday when he was let out into his yard on Catala Crescent, said Teena Slater.
"I was on the porch and heard him barking so I called him back," said Slater. "I started down the stairs, then I heard him scream. Two big black dogs were coming at him. The female grabbed him and shook him so I kicked at her and screamed," said Slater, crying. "She let go and the other dog grabbed my baby (Timbitt)."
Slater's 14-year-old son and two male neighbours came running and eventually got the dogs under control. Slater and her husband headed to the vet in Port Hardy with Timbitt, but he did not survive.
The Rottweillers, Diesel and Jade, belong to Shilo and Shawn DesRosiers who live across the street from Slaters. Slater said the dogs have never been a problem before and are usually kept penned. She added the owners had called to apologize.
In a letter to the Gazette, published on page 7, the Desrosiers wrote that they are not sure how their dogs got free. They also noted that Timbit and other dogs roaming in the neighbourhood had frequently "antagonized" their penned dogs.
Slater reported the incident to police and animal control, but found the Town of Port McNeill animal control bylaw limited the action taken in such circumstances.
"They are doing everything they can within the bylaw," said Slater.
Town of Port McNeill deputy administrator Sue Harvey said the animal control officer had deemed the dogs dangerous and delivered a letter to the owners. The Desrosiers have agreed to add a lock to the pen and complete fencing around their yard and keep it locked. As well, the dogs would be muzzled when off the property.
But the existing town bylaw doesn't really address the problem of dogs attacking other dogs, just dogs that attack people, said Harvey. Slater wants to change that.
"I am going to ask for the bylaw to be amended," said Slater. "I don't want his (Timbitt) death to be in vain. He was a huge, huge part of our family."