A Cloverdale family is mourning the death of their dog after they say a pit bull attacked it in their yard Friday.
Leslie Harvey, 22, told Global News her sister had let their five-year-old terrier Sparky outside at around 9 a.m. when a pit bull that was staying with a neighbour broke through the fence.
“It started attacking our dog. My sister ran out there with a broom and was screaming for help,” Harvey said, adding that she was out of the house at the time of the attack.
According to Harvey, her sister started hitting the pit bull with the broom and the neighbour came over to help.
The attack went on for several minutes, Harvey said, until they were able to pull the dog off of Sparky.
Sparky was rushed to the Cloverdale Animal Hospital and Harvey went straight there.
“I was in extreme shock, she said. “I didn’t think it was that bad at first, but then I saw my sister was covered in blood. She was just soaked in blood balling her eyes out.”
Harvey said Sparky suffered extreme internal injuries from puncture wounds, and both his hind legs and spine were broken.
“The veterinarian looked at the dog and said I don’t know if he’ll make it,” Harvey said.
A spokesperson for the Cloverdale Animal Hospital confirmed to Global News that Sparky’s injuries were too severe to save the dog’s life.
At around 3 p.m. Harvey, her daughter Chloe and family said goodbye before Sparky was put down.
Harvey said animal control officers from Commissionaires BC seized and destroyed the pit bull Friday afternoon. According to Harvey, the dog was rescued by her neighbour from a dog fighting ring and had attacked others.
A media spokesperson for Commissionaires BC could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Harvey said their family is devastated by the loss of Sparky.
“This morning Chloe woke up asking for him,” Harvey said. “She was crying in her sleep, had nightmares all night. My sister who fought off the pit bull is traumatized. My mom is so emotional, that was her little baby.”
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