Saskatoon’s Haultain neighborhood is nervous after a dog attack last week left a woman’s beloved Pomeranio dead.
“I have been very traumatized and I am extremely emotional and lost without Ryder. I referred to the world and he was like a child for me,” said Susan O’Donnell in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
On Thursday, the couple was on their night walk.
When O’Donnell and his nine -year -old partner approached the intersection of Sixth Street East and Dufferin Avenue, O’Donnell saw a trio of great pit bulls running towards her. She said a group of men was behind the dogs.
“My only instinct was to pick it up and try to protect it. I couldn’t do that,” said O’Donnell.
O’Donnell said the three Pitbulls jumped on her, hitting her to the ground and biting her hand before turning to Ryder.
O’Donnell described the Pitbulls as a “hyenas package.” The sounds of the attack caught the attention of the neighbors.
Nikita Rathwell said she went to the window of her kitchen after listening to a shock outside.
“There is a woman shouting: ‘They are killing my dog, they are killing my dog,” Rathwell said.
The neighbors quickly ran outside and separated the three much smaller dog pit bulls.
Carol Klapwijk, another neighbor, brought a blanket outside to cover Ryder.
Klapwijk said she was worried about O’Donnell, who seemed extremely stressed.
“There is nothing more than we can do [for the dog]. It had been a veterinary technology in a previous work life and there was nothing that we could do, except comfort and comfort it, “he said.
Finally, O’Donnell contacted his roommate, who helped take Ryder to a veterinary clinic.
Pomeranian injuries were considered too serious. O’Donnell made the decision to sacrifice his dog, an experience that he described as the most traumatic thing he has ever had to do or witness.
‘It happened before’
Rathwell said the attack was not a surprise for neighbors living in the area, because the three dogs have left before.
“It has actually happened several times. And you know, the owners have been warned. The owner had been warned,” Rathwell said.
Rathwell described incidents that dogs have previously accused neighbors and children.
Other people in the neighborhood have previously filed complaints to the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency.
Not any of those complaints came, Rathwell said.
“It seems that there are many obstacles. The process takes a long time and could be better,” he added.
Vic Bairos, the owner of the Pitbulls, said he still has the three dogs. He told CBC that Saskatoon’s animal control agency told him that animals will need to be sacrificed.
The Saskatoon animal control agency directed all requests for comments to the city of Saskatoon.
In a statement, the city said it could not “provide more details as the incident remains under investigation.”
Klapwijk said the process must change.
“I think we need to change the law by dangerous dogs and you must let animals control take over and give them enough power to go and grab them immediately,” Klapwijk said.
‘Justice for Ryder’
O’Donnell said he will submit a statement of witnesses to the Saskatoon animal control agency. Another neighbor has also sent a graphic video from the incident to the agency.
O’Donnell said her neighbors have helped her cry in providing flowers and cards. Others have given him hugs and messages of support.
“My goal is to seek justice for Ryder and the security of the neighborhood,” said O’Donnell.
She said that means putting the dogs responsible for the attack.
While O’Donnell waiting for the investigation to end, he said he will try to remember Ryder as the “sweetest child.”
“He never bit anyone or anyone. He loved all animals, even cats and children,” O’Donnell said.
