It would be a typical affectionate moment shared between them if not for the hideous plastic drainage tubes poking from the miniature schnauzer’s right shoulder and stomach.
“I'm disappointed that the lack of integrity and responsibility of a select few can negatively affect so many,” Jenkins said, whose one-year-old pup was attacked by an off-leash Rottweiler along Dallas Road on Sept. 4.
Maggie was on-leash when she was pinned and sustained deep puncture wounds. She managed to wiggle free of her collar during the attack and race away. Miraculously, she was found an hour later and rushed to an animal hospital where she underwent surgery.
Since then, Jenkins and his fiancée Adrienne Swift have been focusing on their pet’s recovery, and speaking out about their nightmare in the hopes the Rottweiler's owner will come forward to apologize.
“Chris is really angry that the (dog owner) got away scot-free and didn’t hang around to see if (Maggie) was alright,” said Swift.
The Esquimalt couple has been plastering the walkway along Dallas Road with signs in hopes their plea will elicit tips, and to caution other dog owners to be mindful of the aggressive Rottweiler.
“We’re not advocates of banning pit bulls or Rottweilers,” said Swift’s father, Wayne, who raced Maggie to the hospital. “It’s about the owners, as far as I’m concerned."
[NOTE: One word. Idiot.]
The Dallas Road walkway between Clover Point and Douglas Street is a popular off-leash dog-walking zone, though Wayne noted posted rules state owners must have control of their dogs at all times, whether they are on- or off-leash.
“People have to recognize that those particular breeds are capable of lethal damage,” Wayne said.
Connecting with the Rottweiler’s owners is not a quest to recoup the $1,000-plus veterinarian bill for Maggie’s surgery and post-op care. The couple have pet insurance, though it won’t cover the total cost.
“We just want them to call us,” said Swift. “We want recognition (the attack) happened, and we want an apology.”
(BC Local News - September 09, 2011)
