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Akita dogs involved in attack to be euthanized

Akita dogs involved in attack to be euthanized - image

CALGARY – Two Akita dogs involved in an attack south of Didsbury last month will be euthanized.

Mountain View County peace officer Amanda Stuhl says the owner of the dogs signed papers Wednesday evening, transferring control of the dogs to animal control authorities.

The male will likely be put down on Friday but the female will remain alive until her six puppies have been weaned and can survive on their own.

Last month, the dogs were being held in a shared garage with their puppies south of Didsbury when neighbouring tenants entered with their pet Beagle. The dogs turned on the couple inflicting serious wounds to their chest, hands, thighs and legs.

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The man and woman, both in their 20s required over 620 stitches.

They were familiar with the dogs and had interacted with them several times before.

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A behavioural assessment of the dogs performed by Animal & Bylaw Services in Calgary recommended the animals be euthanized.

Bylaw Services Chief Bill Bruce says the experts who conducted the assessment found the dogs were easily excited and did not hesitate to snap or bite. They also found the dogs unpredictable.

“The bottom line is the male is not going to be suitable to be released. He has a very high aggression rate. Both dogs went to a very high level of bite, a very dangerous level. We assessed him, he didn’t do well in the assessment, he will not be made available,” says Bruce.

While Bruce is confident with the decision he does say euthanizing the dogs was a last resort.

“Euthanasia is a sad failure as a community when that’s what we have to do but safety has to come first.”

The owner was informed of the assessment prior to her decision to hand them over to the city.

The six puppies will be socialized as a group before heading off to new adoptive homes. Bill Bruce says there’s no risk that they’ve acquired any of their parent’s aggression.  

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