A Calgary Police Service officer on the Canine Unit is facing charges following an off-duty dog attack on a young boy.
Ali Hassan, 12, was chased into his Aspen Woods home by the Belgian Malinois when he broke out of his handler’s fenced yard on March 30. The dog bit Hassan, causing puncture wounds to his leg.
READ MORE: ‘It was really not a fun time’: Calgary boy bitten by off-duty police dog speaks out
On Thursday, the City of Calgary announced four charges had been laid against the handler, Cost. Will Glover, under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw. The charges are related to the attack on March 30, as well as a previous incident where manager of Calgary Community Standards, Alvin Murray, said two dogs were “at large.”
The charges against Glover include three counts of an animal running at large and one count of an animal attacking a person and causing severe injury.
READ MORE: Family of boy attacked by police service dog speaks out
“This decision reinforces how important it is for dog owners to keep their animals under control at all times,” Murray said. “Pets should never pose a threat or become a nuisance in the community.”
Penalties for each of the charges can include fines up to $10,000.
“The officer will have the opportunity to go to court, and the court will determine what the penalties are,” Murray added.
RAW: The City of Calgary has laid four charges following a dog attack in Aspen Woods in March 2016. Alvin Murray has details on the charges, which involve an off-duty police dog.
The handler currently remains in the Canine Unit.
“The performance of duty by the CPS handler remains under investigation in this case by the CPS Professional Standards Section,” police said in a news release. “Once the bylaw matters have been concluded, the member’s conduct review will be completed under the Police Act.”
“The Service takes full responsibility for this incident and would like to reassure the public that every precaution is taken by the handlers to ensure these animals are in secure yards when at home.”
Murray said it’s not often that bylaw officers investigate cases involving Calgary police officers.
“I’ve been here for 26 years, and in recent memory this is my first.”
Calgary police said the dog was immediately removed from service and moved to kennels at the service’s canine facility.
The dog completed a successful behavioral assessment from Calgary’s bylaw officers.
“I’m absolutely satisfied that it poses no risk to the citizens in Calgary,” Murray said in a morning news conference.
Despite this, the Calgary Police Service decided it is in the best interest of the dog and community to return the animal to the originating broker in the United States.
Ali Hassan – Calgary boy bitten by a police dog
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