Dog owner considers legal options

This article in the Osprey is another attempt of police being allowed to be trigger happy because of the breed of dog it was. Had it have been a lab, I'm sure the outcome would have been different.

No where does it say the dog bit, but rather the dog approached the officers aggressively. What does that mean? It doesn't say the dog was growling or running towards them in an attack mode, so agressively doesn't mean anything to me unless they can tell us what they mean by agressively.

Dogs aren't stupid and can sense when something isn't right. The officer that was trying to trick the dog with treats to capture him was underminding the dogs intelligence and intuition. Just as Shasta can sense when I'm not well, this dog could sense this befriending was a ploy against it.

The owner did all the responsible requirements by Ontario law, so I would doubt he would have not had the Landlord fix the screen had he have known his dog was going through it. It also makes me think, he had asked the Landlord to fix the screen prior to this incident.

Our laws are so strict that my 4 year old Grandson had let Shasta out only days ago. She hadn't had a nice run for such a long time, that once I was aware she was let out, I ran for her life in a state of panic. Although it was only a matter of minutes before I got her and brought her into the house, it was the panic because of how harsh the law is that she would have been murdered had ACC been there to witness it because she was not in compliance to the law. Many bullies have gone to death row for the same reason and there is no room for accidents.

Do dog owners of other breeds feel that which we do? NO! Even with the leash bylaw of all dogs in our city, ACC could drive by and totally ignore another breed at large.

When it comes to the bullies, rather than using stun guns, they use pistols. Would they have done the same had it been a human breaking the law? NOT!

Dog owner considers legal options
Stephanie Stein Local News -
Thursday, May 03, 2007

Brandon Lloyd is considering legal action after his Staffordshire bull terrier was shot and killed by Cornwall police officers Monday night. Lloyd's dog Misfit may be dead and buried, but the sadness and anger he's experiencing is still very much alive.

"I'm mad at the landlord for not fixing the window. I'm mad at the dog pound for not being there, and mad at the police for shooting my dog," said a trembling Lloyd, who has hired an Ottawa lawyer.

No suits have been filed yet, but lawyer Dean Adama thinks Lloyd may have a case. Adama suggested the dog did not have a history of viciousness and biting. And Adama said Lloyd took the necessary steps to ensure he stayed within the law when it came to his dog.

According to provincial law, ownership of a pit bull such as a Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier, and any dog with a similar appearance, is subject to strict guidelines. The dogs must be leashed, and muzzled when outside the home. As well, the animal must be spayed or neutered. If a pit bull is found to be in contravention of the law, confiscating the animal, or in extreme cases, euthanizing the animal may result.

Officials a the local office of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) said they were not aware of Monday night's shooting.

"I find it quite troubling the (OSPCA) wasn't available. No attempts were made to subdue the animal through tranquilizing. Police were ill-equipped to deal with the situation," said Adama.

Because the incident occurred after hours, neither the OSPCA, nor Cornwall bylaw enforcement were able to respond to the call. Any emergency occurring after hours needs to be taken up with the Cornwall police.

Lloyd's lawyer explain he still does not have all the facts. Police reports remain to be seen, and more questions to be answered.

Cornwall police have said all avenues were exhausted before the shooting and it was clear the dog was a danger to the public, and the officers made a decision to put the dog down. When police arrived at the scene Monday night on Smith Avenue in Cornwall the dog aggressively approached an officer who retreated to his vehicle for safety, police said in a release. A second officer arrived to assist and was also approached by the aggressive dog. When a third officer arrived attempts were made to contact the owner of the dog - but Lloyd could not be reached at that time.

The officers also attempted to befriend the dog with treats in an attempt to capture the animal however, the dog continued to approach them in an aggressive manner. The decision was then made to destroy the animal.

Lloyd buried his dog in the country Tuesday.