Dog owner charged after serious bite incident

The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services (ABS) has laid charges of Attack Causing Severe Injury and Unlicensed Dog against a dog owner following a serious incident at a residence last week.

At 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 18, ABS officers were called to a home in Radisson Heights on reports that a woman had sustained serious facial injuries as a result of a dog bite.

ABS has taken the dog, a pit bull, into custody where it will undergo an assessment, following a mandatory 10-day quarantine that is required in all cases involving a bite to a person.

A mandatory court appearance is required in all serious aggressive dog incidents and consequences are determined by a judge. These consequences may include fines up to $10,000.

“Animal & Bylaw Services makes public safety a top priority and aggressive animal behaviour will not be tolerated,” said Damian Cole, manager of South Operations. “Under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, owners are held responsible for the behaviour of their animals and people must be aware of these responsibilities when looking to add a dog to their family.”

ABS promotes responsible pet ownership through a variety of methods including the Off-Leash Ambassador Program, presentations at community events, hosting the annual Safety Expo and partnering with other City of Calgary business units on programs like Park’s P.U.P.P.Y. Program.

For more information on responsible pet ownership, visit calgary.ca/animalservices.