CALGARY – A handful of dog attacks in the city this week are prompting many Calgarians to question why they happen, and what can we do about it.
On Monday, A family watched in horror as their pet Pomeranian was mauled to death by a group of pit bulls.
Two days later, two dogs were seized after they got loose and allegedly bit a woman in Whitehorn.
Then on Thursday morning, police were called to the scene of another dog attack on Memorial Drive and 58th Street N.E. Paramedics say an adult man and a woman were treated at the scene.
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While City of Calgary Bylaw officials say it’s a rare spike in the number, others say it’s an indicator that more needs to be done.
One local businessman has come up with an idea that he thinks will help, and he’s preparing to pitch it to city council.
Sebastian Yoon is a pit bull owner who has developed a stricter bylaw he thinks would be beneficial in off leash areas.
He says right now, you’re putting blind faith into approaching dogs – and instead suggests colour-coded tags to help indicate an aggressive past.
“A puppy would have a pink collar tag,” says Yoon. “Red indicates an aggressive past history.”
The tags are just one element of a plan he’s proposing to his councilor later this month, but would help people near the animal know if it’s safer to avoid them.
He hopes his solution initiates more responsibility for people and their pets.
The five dogs involved in this week’s incidents remain in quarantine and will undergo behavioral testing next week.
– With files from Jill Croteau
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