Nearly a month after she sustained serious injuries during a vicious dog attack, a Gibsons woman is still traumatized by her ordeal, saying it could have been prevented. Around 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, Dixie McLean stepped out of her School Road condominium complex with her dachshund, Rolly, and spotted her neighbour's unleashed mastiff cross a few metres away.
"The dog took a running leap and took down both myself and my dog," McLean said. "The pain was unbearable. There was a lot of blood. I thought we were both going to die."
McLean, a former RCMP officer, said her screams alerted her neighbour, Bob Dinsmore, who grabbed the dog by its back legs. The dog's owner was able to regain control of the animal and took it aside.
"I was scared the dog was going to turn on him," McLean said. "It was definitely in fight mode. Bob is a real hero."
After the dog released its grip, McLean was able to examine the extent of her injuries. She was rushed by ambulance to St. Mary's Hospital where she received 20 stitches on her right hand. The tendon on the middle finger of her left hand was severed during the attack and also required numerous stitches. "The stitches became infected and I had to go to the hospital three times a day for a week to receive an IV treatment," McLean said. "I'll also need to see a specialist in Vancouver for reconstructive surgery on my finger."
Rolly sustained injuries to his head and face in the attack, which required numerous stitches. McLean said Rolly's face swelled up and his stitches became infected. The dog's heart gave out on Feb. 23 and a vet was forced to put the animal down. "I had to go through all this grief because of one person's irresponsible actions," McLean said. "It could have been prevented. The dog should have been leashed. I still have nightmares. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder to see if any dogs are around."
Dinsmore said the mastiff should not have been allowed to live in the condo complex or near a school because of its history of aggressive behavior. He said the dog's owner would often walk the dog around the neighbourhood without a leash.
"Many residents of this complex were concerned about the dog," Dinsmore said. "It was a spooky dog. It chased one woman into her house. She was afraid to leave her car."
According to Dinsmore, the strata agreement states that no resident of the complex is allowed to reside with a pet that exceeds 25 pounds. Dinsmore says the mastiff weighed approximately 100 pounds. "The dog mauled Dixie," Dinsmore said. "If it had not been pulled off, she would have sustained much more serious injuries. Her ordeal could have been prevented."
John Williams, bylaw officer with the Town of Gibsons, said the owner of the mastiff was contacted shortly after the incident and a vet has confirmed that the dog was destroyed. "The town plays a serious role in dealing with dog attacks," Williams said. "We take action right away. The last time we had a dog put down was in December 2002."
McLean said she is in the process of seeking compensation for loss of wages, prescription costs and the expenses she will incur during her trips to Vancouver to see a specialist. "I love dogs," McLean said. "I just can't own another one for awhile."
West Sechelt residents report dog attacksTwo separate dogs attacks in the West Sechelt area over the past few months have sparked concern among other local residents. While Sara Schutz was jogging along Norwest Bay Road on Dec. 16, she was approached by a Rottweiler that was barking aggressively at her. Schutz said she pushed at the animal with her foot.
"It grabbed my elbow and bit me," Schutz said. "Then I tripped and fell. I panicked and screamed for help."
A resident of the area heard her screams and chased the dog off with a shovel. Schutz sustained minor bruising during her ordeal. She said the dog's owner has apologized for the animal's behaviour.
"I don't think it's a bad dog," Schutz said. "I don't think it's an evil dog. I just think it's a neglected dog. It's penned up all day and doesn't get the attention it needs."
Bruce Haynes, bylaw officer with the District of Sechelt, said the Rottweiler's owner was contacted and warned that the dog will be put down if another offence occurs. Haynes said he has done two or three follow-up visits at the residence since the attack and has found no cause for concern. "We get reports of dog attacks from time to time," Haynes said. "The owners are usually cooperative because they don't want to be sued or held liable for injury. They also don't want their pet put down."
A second dog attack occurred on the grounds of West Sechelt Elementary on Jan. 27 involving two Grade 6 students. Patsy Rothenbush, chair of the Parent's Advisory Committee at West Sechelt Elementary, said one child was trying to protect a smaller student from a German shepherd cross that was trying to steal the student's lunch. "The child was bitten by the dog but, thankfully, was not seriously injured," Rothenbush said. "It's a nuisance dog that has been hanging around the school for years."
Haynes said he wrote a letter to the dog's owner and advised him that because of previous complaints the animal is not allowed to run at large anymore. "If the owner does not comply, I will apprehend the dog and have it put down," Haynes said.
