Two animals have been declared dangerous dogs under a Town of Gibsons bylaw following an attack against a deer witnessed by residents, with the injured doe having to be put down by a responder at the scene.
At approximately 1:50 p.m. on Dec. 23, officials were made aware of the injured deer near the Gospel Rock area of Gibsons. Residents witnessed two dogs attacking the injured animal and managed to scare them off.
"However, because [the dogs] do not reside at a Town address, the requirements are only that they be leashed and effectively muzzled if brought into the Town," said bylaw enforcement officer Sue Booth, adding that owners of the dogs were issued a fine and could face further penalties should the animals be impounded.
Residents like Bexs Samaras of Gibsons said the event highlights a need to increase protections for the Town's wildlife.
"It was such a savage scene, and it was to affect and sadden so many people," Samaras wrote to Coast Reporter. "She had been chased for hours, it appears, by these dogs, finally coming to seek help here where we lived."
A member from the Sunshine Coast RCMP was on the scene searching for the animal after a resident reported hitting it with their car on Gower Point Road.
Samaras recalled returning from shopping to witness a yellow dog, possibly a lab, and a smaller black dog chasing the maimed deer throughout the neighbourhood.
"They were savagely biting at her flailing and broken, injured back leg, her rump and underbelly. It was a terrible scene," Samaras said.
With the assistance of a neighbour, Samaras tracked down the injured deer, finding it crippled in a gutter amongst a group of maple trees.
"It was a tragic scene in which the doe had to be shot and put down, such a sad event right before Christmas," she said. "The doe had been a local denizen living and visiting us."
Following the events, Samaras said both the Town and its residents need to be more concerned with the safety of its local wildlife.
She pointed to the chain-link fence that outlines the curved area of the road as being a trap for feeding wildlife that may fall victim to predators.
The fence also creates a choke point that could possibly create a hazard for both the animals and motorists driving through the area.
"Wild animals using the area are especially vulnerable, in particular along and down the lower ocean side," she said, calling on motorists to lower their speeds and be more attentive, while adding that "it is not funny or desirous to encourage dogs to exhibit aggressive behaviour at any time."
