Family buying puppy attacked by pit bull in Edmonton

CANADA -- Three people, including a child, were treated in hospital after a pit bull attack near a north Edmonton home.

After the family -- looking to get a new puppy -- was attacked at the home near 119 Avenue and 78 Street around 5 p.m. Tuesday, they drove to the Oasis Liquor Store, at 105 Street and 107 Avenue, asking for help.

A clerk at the store said the couple and their child, who was about 10, were all suffering mauling injuries.

The clerk, who did not want to publish his name, said the family was going to buy a puppy from the owner when they were attacked. The man had a bloody towel wrapped around his arm. The family also had their own small dog in the van with them.

Officials with the city's animal control services were later called to University hospital to speak with the family. Bylaw officers and police attended the residence where the attack occurred, however, nobody was home at the time.

"We're just in the process of going through the rest of the investigation," said Keith Scott, coordinator of animal control, noting the injuries were serious.

"The child was bitten on the bicep and the father had multiple puncture wounds and the mother had a gouge in her hand."

Scott said the city is working to contact the owner and collect witness statements to determine what action will be taken.

In May, a pit bull attacked and killed a Shih Tzu in a north Edmonton residential neighbourhood. The pit bull was later returned to its owner.

Animal Control officers say that in incidents such as those, the attacking dog is taken into custody and quarantined at the Animal Care and Control Centre. An investigation is then launched, witness reports are collected from both owner parties, and fines can potentially be handed out.

Animal control responds to hundreds of dog bite calls a year but that only represents a fraction of the number of incidents that occur. The most vulnerable include postal delivery workers, meter readers, children, and other dogs too.

If a dog bite is severe enough to break the skin of a victim, Alberta Health Services will enforce a quarantine for the dog. Following an investigation, the dog may be deemed restricted requiring the owner to follow strict regulations and licensing provisions.

(Edmonton Sun - Aug 20, 2014)