Victim of vicious dog attack shares harrowing story

CANADA -- A woman who survived a vicious dog attack is sharing her incredible story of survival.

Five months ago, Isabelle Simard was leaving work at a wolf conservation centre in Golden, B.C. when a pair of Karilian Bear dogs went after her.

“I saw the dogs and they were both looking at me,” she remembers. “[A dog] bit me…brought me down to my knees, at that point I thought, ‘someone is gonna come help me out.’

“I remember being on the ground…I thought, ‘they’re not stopping.’ I started to really panic.”

It was then that the dogs—pets of the conservation centre’s owners—nearly killed her.

“I got bit in my face and my ear. That noise, that feeling of teeth on skull…I will never forget that, it stays with you.”

Simard came close to giving up for good, but that’s when a co-worker got in the middle and saved her.

“I still think if nobody intervened I wouldn’t be here to tell the tale.”

Simard was seriously injured, needing stitches and a skin graft to repair her injuries. She also suffered psychological wounds, losing the confidence to be alone and feeling threatened by any animal.

It turns out the dogs have an aggressive history. There was a previous encounter where a visitor was attacked by one of the dogs—something the owners never told Simard.

So far RCMP have not laid any charges, but one of the dogs has been euthanized. Global News attempted to speak with the owners of the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre, but they did not respond to requests for comment.

(Global Edmonton - Sept 17, 2012)

Earlier:

• BC woman suffers vicious dog attack at Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre
• Second victim comes forward after Golden, B.C. dog attack

Second victim comes forward after Golden, B.C. dog attack

CANADA -- There are disturbing new details about a vicious dog attack in Golden, B.C.

A single mother is recovering in Foothills Hospital and faces permanent scarring after a dog repeatedly bit her in Golden, B.C. It happened last week at the Northern Wildlife Wolf Centre.

It now appears this isn't the first time the dog has attacked someone.

After Global News first aired the woman's story, a Calgary couple came forward to say a Karelin Bear Dog named Utah previously attacked them as well.

The couple says they, along with three small children, were leaving the tourist spot when the dog lunged at them.

“I saw him stand up… out of instinct I picked Kale up and turned. The dog latched into the side of my back and was not letting go,” says Monika Cicoria.

Cicoria suffered a severe laceration.

“I had four layers on. He went through all layers and left a gash 10 centimeters long. it was extremely painful,” adds Cicoria.

The couple filed a report to the RCMP and followed up with the owners through email.

They says all they wanted was assurances that this would never happen again.

In the emails, obtained by Global News, the operators replied saying how sorry they were about the situation, adding they were distraught over it, and would be ensuring that Utah was kept away from the public.

The owners go on to say Utah would now be kept behind a barrier keeping people away.

The centre first released a statement insisting last week's attack was the first time the dog had been involved in a biting incident. But on Tuesday, the centre admitted it had happened before.

Utah has been put down and the owners say the second dog involved doesn't pose a public threat. 

(Global Edmonton - May 1, 2012)

Earlier:

• BC woman suffers vicious dog attack at Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre

BC woman suffers vicious dog attack at Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre

CANADA -- A BC woman is recovering in a Calgary hospital, after a vicious dog attack.

The attack happened last week, in Golden, B.C. at the Northern Wildlife Wolf Centre.

The victim, Isabelle Simard, works independently for the wolf conservation company as their accountant.

She was at the facility after-hours on Wednesday evening doing some work.

As she went to leave, the single mother of two suffered bites to various parts of her body after the company's two pet dogs went towards her, breaking their leash.

Simard is now about to undergo reconstructive surgery to repair some of her wounds.

The dogs are Kareilian Bear Dogs and are trained to be disciplined, but are aggressive in certain situations. They are used to prevent human and bear conflicts.

It's not known what triggered their behaviour that night.

Fiends of Isabelle say she will be suffering for a long time.

RCMP say they are investigating along with the SPCA and aren't sure if any charges are being considered.

The owners say this was an unfortunate accident, and are sorry for what's happened. They say they've voluntarily put one of the dogs down.

(Global Edmonton - April 30, 2012)