Aggressive dog investigation underway in Whitehorse
City of Whitehorse Bylaw Services personnel are investigating an alleged attack by two aggressive dogs in the Copper Ridge area.
Revised - City of Whitehorse Bylaw Services personnel are investigating an alleged attack by two aggressive dogs in the Copper Ridge area.
At around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Bylaw Services responded to reports that a person walking on Stope Way was attacked by two large, unaccompanied
mastiffs.
“The person was pushed to the ground and bitten, and has been transported to Whitehorse General Hospital for treatment,” the city said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
“When bylaw officers arrived, the dogs continued to show aggressive behaviour. Officers were able to contact the owner, and the dogs were eventually secured in the house.”
Bylaw manager Brian White told the Star Thursday afternoon the dog that bit the person remains in custody until the owner can provide proof of vaccination.
The individual who was bitten was treated and released, and was headed back to B.C., he said.
White said they are waiting to contact the victim to further the investigation.
The city thanked the RCMP, who were also asked to attend the scene.
“This inter-agency co-operation, and quick response, helped ensure the safety of the public and the dogs,” the city said.
Bylaw officers are investigating the incident under the municipal Animal Control Bylaw, and the dogs’ owner is co-operating with the investigation.
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call City of Whitehorse Bylaw Services at 668-8317.
Comments (13)
Up 5 Down 0
Davis on Aug 18, 2022 at 10:26 am
It’s good this type of this is finally getting some attention. Yukon dogs are the worst (obviously not all of them), I’ve been bitten twice while running in the trails behind copper ridge over the past two years and getting charged by dogs seems to be a regular occurrence. 99% of the time the owners have absolutely no control over their dogs. If you have aggressive dogs and you can’t control them then keep them on a leash!
Up 7 Down 1
@Patti Eyre on Aug 17, 2022 at 4:30 pm
While I agree with what you wrote:
"if only first nation people have dogs, your comment is just downright ignorant."
You're right it is ignorant to assume that. However it wasn't so long ago that feral dogs of Ross River killed a man. In that case, the investigation proved that when people stopped caring about their pets, they took off and hunted in packs. Need I tell you who were the owners of said dogs? Things like that cause a bias, that is clearly visible in some comments here.
Source of Ross River incident:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/dogs-killed-ross-river-man-yukon-coroner-1.3575236
https://www.whitehorsestar.com/News/ross-river-man-killed-by-stray-dogs-coroner
Up 11 Down 14
Patti Eyre on Aug 16, 2022 at 4:14 pm
@Matthew: as if only first nation people have dogs, your comment is just downright ignorant.
Up 24 Down 6
DRP on Aug 12, 2022 at 6:51 pm
The dogs should not have been released back to their owner unless he was able to provide proof the dogs are up to date with their vaccination shots. If their shots are not up to date, the dogs should be seized and kept at the animal shelter for a specific number of days until we know any bites don’t show any effects from rabies. The officer would have had to write the file with details and submit the file to the supervisor while this thing is under investigation. It sounds like both the bylaw officer and bylaw supervisor have failed in their duties to protect the public in a dangerous situation like this. The dogs may not necessarily need to be put down but determined to be a dangerous dog with strict restrictions attached to hold the dogs and owners accountable. The question is, who is going to hold the bylaw officer and supervisor accountable for failing the public in their duties?
Up 20 Down 23
Mitch on Aug 12, 2022 at 2:14 pm
Agree with you there Austin, however, leash laws or not, regulation or not, pets escape their yards sometimes. I don't have enough information here to start pulling triggers. As for investigations, I had neighbours report me falsely just because I filed a noise complaint, that doesn't always pan out. Investigation concluded I have an awesome dog and my former neighbours were Liberals.
Up 37 Down 21
Austin on Aug 12, 2022 at 9:44 am
Usaully it is not the animals fault they are so aggresive. It is the delinquent owners. Maybe start putting the owners down. Just like delinquent children the parents are at fault. Should have to take a course before you can have an animal or a child. Thank goodness someone especially a child was not injured. Hope the injured individual is healing. The animals should've never been given back to the owner until an investigation has been completed.
Up 51 Down 9
YT on Aug 12, 2022 at 8:34 am
Bylaw responded and observed the dogs were still aggressive.
Seriously?
Call the RCMP or Conservation Officers and put the dogs down immediately.
Up 43 Down 2
Nathan Living on Aug 11, 2022 at 6:01 pm
An investigation by Bylaw Services you say.
I say charges and compensation is in order for the victim. Depending upon said investigation these dogs may have to be euthanized.
Up 69 Down 77
Matthew on Aug 11, 2022 at 4:48 pm
Get used to it folks, city approved a bunch of new FN rentals back there this week.. look no further than McIntyre if you want to see dogs roaming around..
Up 48 Down 35
Josey Wales on Aug 11, 2022 at 3:58 pm
Don’t forget to ask the dogs about previous trauma, may explain the alleged aggressive behaviour? Works well that angle in the human world.
There are many many Trevor the human types free ranging attacking and in many cases killing other non Trevor the human types.
Those dogs might’ve been in state care, seen some things they may have?
Imagine the peace our communities could have if they treated the aggressive convicted violent humans as the dogs?
Imagine the space we’d have downtown?
Up 84 Down 12
Yukoner1 on Aug 11, 2022 at 3:52 pm
Why was the dog allowed to return home with its owner? It attacked someone, and Bylaw allowed it to return to the home? What incompetency!
Up 90 Down 10
BnR on Aug 11, 2022 at 2:29 pm
City bylaw is investigating. Well, I'm sure everyone is relieved that the owner of these dogs will get a warning.
Then another warning.
And another.
Up 90 Down 15
Leash on Aug 11, 2022 at 1:57 pm
Someone could have been fatally mauled by these animals and they give the dogs back to their owner with no further action? Put these mutts down.