Council to rule after big dog kills Pomeranian The Rural Municipality of Pipestone Council will hear the issue at a public hearing, Monday, May 30. Council will decide on how to deal with a dog that killed another local dog while it was tied up in its own yard.
It was no contest for a seven-pound Pomeranian- terrier cross named Brandi, when a Rottweiler, on the loose in the village, grabbed the 10-year-old little dog.
“She didn’t deserve to die like that,” says the little dog’s owner, Linda Wallace, sadly.
It was the second time that the Rottweiler attacked Brandi, according to Wallace.
“Both times it happened on my doorstep,” she said. That first attack, two years ago, which resulted in a $1,000 vet bill, was not reported to municipal officials. The Rottweiler’s owner paid half of the vet fees, according to Wallace.
On May 18, at 8:30 a.m. Brandi and her owner were both outside. “I was outside, weed-eating around the other side of the house,” said Wallace.
It was her neighbour who alerted her to the attack and who apparently took a skateboard to drive the big dog off.
However, it was too late to save Brandi.
The RM of Pipestone animal control officer was called in. According to information from RM Chief Administrative Officer Michelle Halls, in an animal- on-animal attack, it is up to the animal control officer whether to impound.
“We did an investigation, interviewed some witnesses and decided it best to impound. The owner surrendered the dog voluntarily,” said Halls.
“We have quarantined the dog in the pound, pending the hearing,” said Halls. “It will be a decision of council as to whether the dog is declared a dangerous animal under the by-law.”
Animal Control By- Law No. 2007-07, placed the responsibility for the decision with council. While the dog may be ordered euthanized, Council can also declare a dog to be dangerous.
If this animal is declared dangerous, it could be so licensed, along with conditions regarding safe-keeping in a yard enclosure and rules for when the dog is on leash. Guard dogs are often issued a dangerous dog licence as well. The decision of Council is final.
Wallace is still in mourning for Brandi.
“If I was outside, she was on the leash. If I was in the car, she was with me; she even had a car seat.”
