SUDBURY, Ont. — A pit bull suspected to have mauled at least two dogs and one person in the Donovan neighbourhood this spring has been surrendered to the city’s animal shelter.
The surrender took place on Tuesday, a city spokesperson said, and “staff will determine next steps to ensure the safety of the community.”
An interview request with the city was denied and a written statement which neglected to answer several questions, including what the fate of the dog might be, was released instead.
The city spokesperson clarified, “as the investigation is ongoing, staff are unable to comment on the specifics of a case.”
Sudbury.com last reported on the troubled pit bull in June, in the wake of two mauling incidents.
Sylvia Carpenter and her dog, Brandy, a 13-year-old beagle/shar-pei mix, were attacked by a pit bull on May 24, which is believed to have been the same dog that was surrendered on Tuesday.
“I’m glad it has finally been found, and I’m hoping it hasn’t done anything to anybody else,” she told Sudbury.com this week. “What bothers me the most about it is that it took so long.”
Hopefully, the owners can be charged for having their pit bull not taken care of, she added, noting that the dog was loose when it attacked Brandy.
Carpenter was walking Brandy in the Donovan neighbourhood during the afternoon of May 24, when she said a pit bull came out of nowhere, knocked her down and lunged for Brandy’s throat.
The pit bull shook Brandy violently, tearing the dog’s skin.
Carpenter lost count of how many stitches Brandy received during the multiple hours she remained under anesthetic at the veterinarian’s office. It was so bad that Carpenter said veterinarians could see parts of Brandy’s skull.
Brandy remains on the road to recovery, Carpenter said this week, adding that her canine friend is still experiencing some mouth pain and emotional distress.
“She is afraid when she sees dogs or hears them barking, or when people are yelling,” she said. “She has never been afraid of those kinds of things before.”
This was the second of at least two attacks by what is believed to have been the same pit bull, with fellow Donovan neighbourhood resident Donna Marie Côté and her shih tzu, Max, attacked on May 16.
The pit bull had broken loose from the person walking it and made a b-line to maul Max, clamping down on Max’s throat and shaking him like a chew toy. A video of the attack was captured on a backyard surveillance camera and can be viewed by clicking here.
In defending her dog, Côté’s arm suffered deep gashes from the pit bull’s teeth.
Both Côté and Max were in recovery when Sudbury.com last connected with them in June.
“The City responds to complaints of animal attacks with all due attention and concern,” a city spokesperson said. “Where a dog has attacked without provocation or mitigation factors we would potentially issue a Vicious Dog Notice and charges laid under the Animal Control Bylaw. To file a complaint of an attack or bite without provocation, residents can contact 311.
In May, Greater Sudbury city council approved a series of steps toward preventing dog attacks, including an upcoming ban on vicious dogs from visiting dog parks and off-leash areas. A public education campaign is expected to begin soon, with a focus on keeping dogs leashed.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.