Skip to content

Dog owner should take responsibility

My son’s 3-1/2-month-old golden retriever puppy was playing nearby. A truck pulled up with three occupants and released a large pit bull. Moments later, the pit bull had the golden retriever pup in its jaws and proceeded to start tearing it to pieces.

Dear Editor:

Over a month ago, my son and some friends were out at Agur Lake. They were standing around a campfire chatting.

My son’s 3-1/2-month-old golden retriever puppy was playing nearby. A truck pulled up with three occupants and released a large pit bull. Moments later, the pit bull had the golden retriever pup in its jaws and proceeded to start tearing it to pieces.

My son ran to his dog’s defence and was bitten on the hands several times. Twice he had his own dog in his arms and was trying to get away and twice the crazed pit bull tore the pup loose only to continue his attack.

When the ordeal was over, the owner of the pit bull said he was sorry but, “dogs will be dogs, man.” He also said he  could maybe help with any vet bills.

There were several witnesses to that exchange.

The attack took place on a weekend, after hours, when no veterinarians were available. The pup needed immediate care or it would die.

A 24-hour emergency vet was the only option and so a friend drove my son and his pup to Kelowna.

The dog needed many stitches in her face, neck and mouth. Seven teeth had been torn from her mouth and she needed to be put on a special diet.

My son filed a complaint to police, who passed the information to animal control.

A few days later, my son was able to track down the owner of the pit bull. He asked him to cover an amount that was less than half the costs he had incurred. We thought that to be more than fair. The pit bull owner said he would pay some if he could see the bills.

Since then, my son has tried to contact this individual and his calls and messages go unanswered.

If you are the owner of the pit bull, man up, do the right thing, take responsibility for your pet and pay what you said you would. If not, the situation will be brought to civil courts. Justice will be served and the amount will be considerably more.

If others know the individual and animal I am writing about, please speak to him. I have not mentioned the name of the individual involved, in the hopes he might still do the right thing.

If this had been a child who had been attacked, the dog would be put down already and the owner held accountable. Perhaps next time it might be a child.

Darren Greiner

Summerland