CANADA -- The Ministry of Labour is investigating after a woman suffered serious injuries when she was attacked by a Tibetan mastiff at a Manvers Township dog kennel Tuesday (Aug. 13).
Kawartha Lakes OPP responded to the call, along with paramedics, City of Kawartha Lakes bylaw representatives and the Ministry of Labour to the Tibetan Majestic Mastiffs International on Ski Hill Road.
Upon arrival, OPP say they learned that a 53-year-old woman, an employee at the kennel, was taken to Ross Memorial Hospital by ambulance.
Manager of municipal law enforcement Gord Garfield told This Week that the animal weighs roughly 220 lbs. Generally, in the case of a dog attack, he says enforcement officers are brought in to investigate. Depending on the severity of the attack, as well as the dog’s history of attacks, law enforcement officers have the authority to charge the owner of the dog, issue an order to restrain or, for less severe attacks, simply warn the dog owner.
But in this case, Mr. Garfield says municipal law enforcement officers have not been brought in to seize the dog, because the attack happened at a licensed kennel and the injured woman was an employee of the business. Instead, the Ministry of Labour was brought in to investigate.
“I’ve never had this happen here,” he says. “This is completely different.”
Mr. Garfield says the animal is remaining in its kennel on the property until the Ministry concludes its investigation.”
When contacted by This Week, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Labour confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
(Kawartha Media Group - Aug 14, 2013)
