Noemi Stefenatti was walking through Douglas Ford Park around 1:30 p.m. Thursday on her way back to her home on Leggett Ave., near Royal York Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W., with her granddaughter Serena when the raging dog suddenly attacked.
“He came over the bridge like a bullet,” the senior said of the pit bull.
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| RIP Lucy |
Little Serena was holding Lucy’s leash when the pit bull grabbed the border collie by the neck with its teeth, a grief-stricken Stefenatti recalled.
“We were both screaming and screaming,” she said, fighting back tears. “As much as we were shocked, Lucy was even more shocked.”
“She didn’t fight back at all, the poor animal,” Stefenatti added.
Fearful the dog may turn on Serena, she yelled at her granddaughter to “run away.”
Once Serena was safe, Stefenatti grabbed Lucy’s leash and tried to pull her free from the clenches of the pit bull. But she couldn’t save the eight-year-old dog she had owned since she was a puppy.
She said the bloody attack lasted more than 10 minutes.
“When Lucy was dead, the other dog walked away,” Stefenatti said. “He sat in the shade for a bit, then he ran away.”
By the time Toronto Police arrived the killer dog was nowhere to be found.
“Officers searched the area but weren’t able to locate the pit bull,” Const. Wendy Drummond said, explaining the search was called off as night fell.
Stefenatti said the pitbull is dark brown with lighter-coloured hair around its collar area. It is a medium-sized dog with a stocky build and it was wearing a thick burgundy collar.
“I really hope they find that dog before it attacks again,” she said, adding a child could be the next victim.
Stefenatti said her granddaughter is traumatized by the “terrible experience.”
“I told Serena there was nothing we could do and it wasn’t our fault,” she said.
Although the breed was banned in Ontario in 2005, those who already owned a pit bull were allowed to keep their dog. But owners of the “grandfathered” pit bulls were ordered to have their pet sterilized as well as leashed and muzzled at all times in public.
Police are urging the owner of the offending dog to come forward.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the pit bull in question should contact 23 Division at 416-808-2300 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS.
(Toronto Sun - August 24, 2012)
