By Chris Brown

Hatter pleased vicious dog ruling upheld for dog that killed her Monty

Oct 20, 2022 | 4:14 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Peggy Dawson finally has closure after her dog Monty was attacked and killed by an off-leash pit bull three months ago.

It happened when Dawson and Monty went for their regular morning walk. She saw an off-leash pit bull and another dog playing nearby and went in the other direction. Moments later, she heard a scream and the pit bull was charging toward them. Monty was attacked and his injuries were so severe he had to be put down.

After the attack, Medicine Hat bylaw services declared the dog vicious, a determination that was appealed by the owner. Last week an appeal board upheld bylaw’s initial ruling.

“It was no surprise to me that their dog is a vicious dog now,” Dawson says. “They have a lot of financial and that type of struggles ahead of them and none of it brings my dog back but yes their dog needed to be, you know, named as a vicious dog after it’s killed one dog. Other than I just, you know, you just move forward because they still have their dog. I do not.”

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Under city bylaw 3935, the owner of the pit bull must ensure the dog is muzzled and on a leash no longer than one metre when off the owner’s property. They must have a $2 million liability insurance policy, must pay a fine and was ordered to pay Dawson’s vet bill.

She says if people are going to have a dog they need to know how to have a dog and take of them, manage them and train them properly.

Dawson says she’s glad the ordeal is over and she can continue to heal emotionally. She says she misses Monty terribly.

“Three months later, I don’t cry very often. But I’m busying myself. I’m being more social, not going home because my dog’s waiting. So I’m moving forward. I’ll be OK.”