CANADA -- A dog that bit a five-year-old boy will be euthanized by animal control in mid June.
The child was playing outside last Saturday on Jack Pine Crescent in Hanmer when the dog attacked, said a Valley East resident who didn't want her name used. The child needed 12 stitches on his arm, but is recovering from his injuries, the woman said.
Richard Paquette Sr., of Sudbury's animal control and shelter services, said the dog was tied up at the time.
"Apparently, the dog was tied in the owner's yard. A child went up to the dog and, for whatever reason, the dog bit the child," he said.
In these situations, the dog must be quarantined for 10 days to ensure the animal doesn't have rabies.
Richard Paquette Jr., also of Sudbury's animal control and shelter services, said the dog's owner will willingly give the pet, who is believed to be a shepherd mix, to the shelter to be euthanized on June 14.
"The owner asked to keep the dog until he gets back from a work sojourn. The owner is cooperating with us." he said.
"The dog has bitten a child ... it wouldn't be a dog that we'd be comfortable adopting to a new family."
If the owner had refused to surrender his dog, animal control may have had to take legal action.
"If a dog bites any person under the Greater Sudbury bylaw, it's a potential offence. The fine is anywhere from $125 to $5,000. There's also recourse under the dog owner's liability act. Any dog can be ordered to be euthanized," Paquette Jr. said.
But this is usually a lengthy process, he added.
(Sudbury Star - June 3, 2012)
