CANADA -- A Saskatoon judge has ordered a $250 fine after a big dog snatched up a much smaller dog in its mouth — at obedience school, just before the final test.
In a recent decision, Saskatoon Queen's Bench Justice Murray Acton found that Dotti, a Dalmatian, was a dangerous dog under the city's Dangerous Animals Bylaw. He fined the owner.
The case stems from an incident that happened one year ago at the Saskatoon Kennel and Obedience School.
Court heard that the Dalmatian's owner was looking in her purse when Dotti went after Chimo, a Chihuahua.
When she looked up, "Dotti had Chimo in her mouth."
Chimo ended up being bitten and scratched, but survived. Dotti's owner was ticketed.
The first time the case went before a judge — in bylaw court — the owner disputed the charge and was acquitted.
However, after the City of Saskatoon appealed, Acton said the first first judge had erred and declared the owner guilty.
"To have one's back turned and be looking in one's purse was not what a reasonable dog owner would do in circumstances," Acton said in the four-page decision.
"Had the respondent been more attentive to the movements of her dog, she would have been able to shorten [the] leash quickly to avoid the incident."
In addition to the fine, Acton ordered that Dotti should wear a muzzle outside the house.
(CBC - Mar 2, 2012)