Okotoks dog owner charged after fatal attack of another dog

One dog was left dead, and another was euthanized after an attack in Okotoks this week. 

Abby Fortier said she was walking her two dogs on-leash when they were attacked by an off-leash dog in the Cimarron Grove area at about 2 p.m. on June 10.

“It saw us and kind of locked eyes with me, and I just kind of had a feeling that it was not going to be good,” Fortier said.

She said the dog charged at them from a green space across the street, and her 14-pound rescue dog, Chili, tried to fight back but was badly mauled.

“That's when it took her in his mouth and started shaking her.” 

The attacking dog was pulled away by its owner, but Fortier said Chili died shortly after the attack. 

“Halfway to the vet, she took her last breath,” she said. 

Okotoks Municipal Enforcement Manager (OME) Vikram Kulkarni said the aggressor dog, an American Staffordshire terrier, has since been euthanized. 

The decision to euthanize the dog was made by the owner, Kulkarni said. 

A complaint was made against the dog two years ago, the owners completed training with the dog, and no further complaints were reported, he said. 

“We didn't hear anything for the last two years.” 

After the incident on June 10, municipal enforcement officers laid three charges against the owner of the aggressor dog under the responsible pet ownership bylaw. 

The owner is cooperating with the investigation and is remorseful, Kulkarni said. 

Charges include animal at large, animal bite and attack and kill, and having an unlicensed dog, he said. 

Fortier is urging pet owners to be responsible and said things can be done to prevent these kinds of incidents, such as training, using muzzles or making sure pets can’t get out of the backyard, she said. 

“It was a horrible thing that happened,” she said. “I think there's a lot to be learned from it, and I don't want her to have died for nothing.” 

Since the incident, she said she’s heard from numerous people who say they have been chased by dogs in the neighbourhood, and she urges anyone who sees an aggressive dog to report it. 

“(OME) can't do anything about it if they don't know that it's happening,” she said. 

Kulkarni said it was a tragic event and offered condolences to the pet owners. 

“We understand this is an event that's distressing for many, but we urge all pet owners to be vigilant and responsible, ensuring their pets are properly restrained and supervised at all times,” he said.