Charges to be laid after central Edmonton dog attack
The future of four dogs who attacked a 54-year-old woman and her dog in north Edmonton two weeks ago is still uncertain.
The woman was attacked while walking her dog in an alley near 101st Street and 112th Avenue on September 14.
Police are crediting Jeremy Christensen, a neighbour who overheard the attack, with saving her life.
The woman was taken to hospital with serious bite wounds and lacerations to her legs, arms and lower back. Both she and her dog required surgery.
Now, investigators have confirmed three Akitas and a Great Pyrenees taken from the scene are responsible for the attack.
“These dogs were involved in one of the most severe attacks we've had in a very, very long time,” said Keith Scott, the coordinator of Edmonton's animal control centre.
“We want to make sure we're getting it right. We want to know exactly which dogs were involved – was it all four of them, was it two of them and the other two stood by?”
The dogs are being held at the city's animal control centre while EPS and bylaw officers gather and review evidence to determine what charges should be laid.
Whatever the final decision, the city’s priority is to ensure Edmontonians feel safe in their own neighbourhoods, he said.
Scott said a decision on the charges is expected early next week.
Dangerous dogs
In the meantime, the city is moving forward with a dangerous dog application, which means the dogs’ owner could be required to build higher fences or use muzzles on his dogs.
In the most extreme scenario, the dogs could be euthanized – a possibility that worries Aaron Copeland who’s owned Harley, Tinkerbell and Homer – the dogs involved in the attack – since they were puppies. The fourth dog involved – Charlie – belongs to a family friend.
“They're my babies. I've had them longer than I've had my own child,” he said.
“I understand they did wrong and I agree, I'll accept fines and whatever comes with it, but I just don't want my dogs to be put down.
Copeland said he still doesn’t know how the dogs got out of his yard in the first place.
A petition calling to spare the dogs’ lives has already garnered more than 2,100 signatures.
