Staff with the Town of Qualicum Beach couldn’t be on hand to prevent a vicious dog attack on a resident and her pet recently, but they’re working to make sure it never happens again.
Deputy chief administrative officer John Marsh said the attack took place on Nov. 17, when the woman was taking her small dog for a walk on a leash in the Chartwell neighbourhood.
“Two dogs attacked the smaller dog and the owner was also bitten on the face and leg,” Marsh said. “Both the dog and the owner required medical attention.”
As a result, Marsh said the town has issued an order declaring the two dogs, described as border collie crosses, vicious.
“If the dogs come back to Qualicum Beach they must be kept on a leash and muzzled,” Marsh said. “When the dogs are on the owner’s property they must kept securely and in a confind manner, with a sign posted on the property that warns there is a vicious dog on the property.”
The dogs and their owner reside in Errington however, meaning town staff had to work with the Regional District of Nanaimo to enforce part of the order. This co-operation, Marsh said, has been forthcoming.
“They indicated they are acting concurrently with the town and have indicated they will be sending a letter and following up with a confinement inspection,” he said.
The town is taking their action beyond this however.
“I spoke to council about it today and staff was directed to proceed to work with the RDN to have the dogs seized and impounded under a warrant pursuant to the Community Charter and also make an application to have the dogs destroyed.”
Marsh said the town is taking the drastic step because council feels it is unacceptable for residents to be attacked in their own community while they go out for a walk.
“The woman was innocently walking her dog and was walking it properly, with a leash, and thse two dogs were not under the care and control of the owner and they ran across and attacked,” Marsh said. “Council’s position is this is not right and we are going to take it to the next step.”
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