Diesel’s owner rejects RDCO proposal for dog

A Central Okanagan dog is walking a thin line between life and death: Diesel the dog was to be euthanized but now has another shot at life.
The animal is in the middle of a dispute between its owner Dave Smith and the Regional District of Central Okanagan. It has been at the RCDO dog pound since March 2011.
This summer, a provincial judge ordered Diesel be put down. The judge ruled that Diesel should be euthanized on the grounds that he was a dangerous dog likely to kill or injure a person and had an irresponsible owner.
The ruling came down after Diesel attacked several dogs in his Peachland neighbourhood on more than one occasion. Smith is appealing the court decision.
But now the RDCO has put an offer on the table to keep the dog breathing. Smith says it’s not good enough.
“I don’t think it’s fair to Diesel or myself,” Smith said.
“The main goal is to give Mr. Smith, to have Diesel be given a good rest of his life,” said Paul Macklem, chief administrative officer for RDCO.
There are several stipulations in the offer however. The proposal says Diesel must not be returned to Smith but rather adopted by another owner.
“Non-negotiable,” Macklem said. “The dog will not go back to him unless the courts decided that.”
Smith must also partially reimburse veterinary costs to the victims of Diesel’s attacks and legal costs to the RDCO. He would also have to write a letter of apology to the witnesses who testified at Diesel’s trial.
They are stipulations that Smith does not agree with.
“Is it about Diesel? The RDCO says they want an apology. They want me to pay their legal costs,” said Smith.
He is resting his hopes on the appeal.
“He could be found totally innocent and be released to me,” Smith said.
Smith says he is working with his lawyer on an offer of his own but he declined to share those details with CHBC News.
“You’ll see it when it’s ready,” he said.
Though both sides disagree on how to move forward, this much is clear: neither wants the animal euthanized.
“We stand hand in hand with the people who want Diesel to be rescued,” Macklem said.
“I don’t have a perfect dog. I never said Diesel was perfect. He’s a good dog. He’s loud. He’s a talker,” Smith said.
RDCO says Smith has until January 15 to respond to its proposal.