City council has denied an appeal to keep an exceptionally dangerous dog alive, after two attacks on people in a Transcona neighbourhood.
The dog, ‘Boss’, a German Boxer breed, was labeled as exceptionally dangerous after the two separate attacks in 2015, and April 2017.
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The victim of the April attack, Jim Robson was at city hall Monday to share details leading up to the moment he was bit.
“The dog whipped around, nailed me on the left shoulder,” Robson said. “I look up and there is three people standing at the door, they’re not coming out, because this isn’t good.”
Robson said the dog then bit him on the thigh, puncturing his skin. He was immediately sent to hospital, bruised and bleeding.
Transcona Councillor Russ Wyatt said the second attack could have been avoided, and the dog should have been euthanized after the first attack on a young girl.
“If a dog bites or attacks someone, it should be dealt with,” Wyatt said.
He said a new bylaw needs to be introduced that would give animal control permission to put a dog down immediately if they bite a person causing serious injury.
“There should be a way to deal with these things more quickly,” he said.
The dog’s owner, Derek Forsyth, said Boss, helps him with mental health issues.
He said the dog is well behaved and is no longer a threat to the community.
After losing his appeal Monday, Forsyth had to say a tearful final goodbye to his pet of four years.
“For him to get back in that kennel, he was just crying. Of course I’m devastated,” Forsyth said.
Wyatt said he will seek help for Forsyth’s mental health issues from the province. Forsyth said he is looking into other options to keep his dog alive.