Peggy Dawson is calling for stronger bylaws after her dog Monty was killed by another dog who was off leash last week (submitted photo/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Woman calling for stronger bylaws after dog attacked and killed

Jul 20, 2022 | 5:18 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– Peggy Dawson can barely hold back tears. Her dog Monty was brutally attacked and killed by another dog who was off leash. The incident happened while they were out on their usual morning walk, and Monty was on a leash.

“We went out the back step, and I saw the Pit Bull and the other dog playing, and I did hesitate but I was like well they are occupied, and they were having great fun. So we just headed the other direction, and I heard a scream and I looked back, and the Pit Bull was almost on us and there was no stopping him and at that point I was just shrieking and shrieking,” she said.

Monty was rushed to the vet but his injuries were so severe he had to be put down.

” It’s an empty life now,” Dawson said, noting Monty was her greatest companion.

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The Pit Bull that attacked Monty has been seized , and is in a 10-day rabies hold at APARC. Barri- ann Hayward is the acting superintendent for Bylaw Services.

“The owners can go and visit through the days but we need to make sure there is no indication of rabies of any kind, and the owner can go pick up the dog after 10 days. We have declared it vicious so they will need to get $2 million liability insurance to have the dog go home and it will have to be muzzled all the time when it is out and about,” Hayward said.

The fact the dog is still allowed to return home is cold comfort for Dawson, who is now calling for stronger bylaws.

” That dog took my dog’s life. So why is it alive, and can still be adopted?” she said.

City bylaw says while deaths due to dog attacks are rare, they have been receiving a lot of calls lately about pets off leash.

Under the current bylaw, dogs should be on leash unless otherwise specified. In off leash areas dogs need to be under control and if they are found running at large owners could face a $150 fine.

” I don’t know if people with the COVID-19 protocols and everything have forgotten what they are supposed to do and not supposed to do but it is happening a lot more often then we would like,” Hayward said.

That has Dawson, still mourning the death of her dog, offering up this plea to Hatters.

“I just want people to keep their leashes on, and even if you are in an off leash area, know that you can control your dog. Off leash is not just for letting your dog run wild,” she said.