Dog that killed shih tzu leaped fence to charge toddler months earlier, neighbour says
The Labrador retriever mix that killed a smaller dog last week in Linden Woods has also jumped a fence to charge a toddler and another shih tzu, says a neighbour who wants the dog removed from the area.
CoCo, the two-year-old dog that killed a shih tzu out for a walk with its owner on Aug. 13, has prompted neighbourhood complaints to Winnipeg's animal services agency before.
April Harrison's family had just moved into their home across the back fence from CoCo's owner when the dog came into their yard on June 4, she said.
"This big black dog comes barreling over the ... six-foot fence and charges at my two-year-old, full force," said April Harrison, who shares a rear fence with CoCo's owners.
Her husband scooped their daughter up before the dog reached her and he kicked the dog, Harrison said. CoCo then went after their family dog.
"Our shih tzu was sort of pinned under it and squealing," she said.
Her husband kicked CoCo again, and it ran into her house, she said. He grabbed it by the collar and yanked it outside.
They filed a complaint with the city and the owner paid a fine, but after the attack on Aug. 13, Harrison wants CoCo removed from the neighbourhood entirely.
"It's terrifying, and after all this happened, all the last two days since I've heard the story, I feel like I need to be on edge outside," Harrison said.
Carolina Fridman's dog Snoopy, a bichon frise-shih tzu cross, was killed on Lindenwood Drive E. after CoCo ran up from behind them and bit the smaller dog.
Fridman filed a complaint with the City of Winnipeg, and the owner was charged under the Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw. A hearing in September will determine whether CoCo is designated a dangerous dog.
Kelly Qiang, CoCo's owner, plans to fight the designation, saying she, her family and a trainer are working with CoCo to ensure he stays in the yard and doesn't attack again.
A city hearing into whether CoCo will receive the designation will take place later in September. The dangerous dog designation comes with restrictions that include a mandatory muzzle in public and keeping the dog in an enclosed pen while in the yard, as well as a fine and yearly fee.
Qiang said she's making plans to get CoCo, who is still living at her home, neutered and will make sure he's on a leash whenever he's outside, including in the backyard.
"We love him so much as part of our family. I will make sure it won't happen again," she said.
CoCo's trainer, seen in a video with the dog, said he is very intelligent and just needs proper guidance.
CoCo will be kennelled inside during the day, Qiang said, and she'll walk him three times a day before work, on her lunch break and in the evening.
Other neighbours told the CBC they also have filed complaints about CoCo because he's often left out in the yard for several hours at a time and barks constantly.
"I'm just sort of uneasy, and I don't feel safe, which is not right," said Harrison.
"There's a history with this guy. More severe action needs to be taken."
