[nagdu] On, Canada - Oshawa family horrified after service dog attacked

[Ginger Kutsch]

Oshawa family horrified after service dog attacked
City says investigation is ongoing
Aug 12, 2010
durhamregion.com 
 
OSHAWA, ON, CANADA -- It was just over a month ago that the
McQuade family welcomed Scotland into their lives.
 
The black lab is specially trained to be a companion to
nine-year-old Caden -- who is autistic -- and help keep him safe.
 
Now the Oshawa family is worried a recent attack may have
unravelled Scotland's training.
 
Karen McQuade says her father-in-law was walking Scotland on a
bike path near Wilson Road and Attersley Drive on the evening of
July 25, when two large dogs escaped from a nearby backyard and
attacked.
 
"They jumped the fence and just ran at him. They pinned Scotland
to the ground and were going for his throat," Ms. McQuade says.
"My father-in-law was kicking them to try to get them off but
they wouldn't budge. Finally he just started screaming for help."
 
A neighbour was able to get the dogs off and Scotland escaped
with a few cuts and an abscess on his back. 
 
Ms. McQuade says she can't bear to think about what could have
happened if her son was with his canine companion that night. 
 
When the pair are out together, Caden is typically tethered to
Scotland by his waist, to prevent the youngster from suddenly
running off.
 
"It's horrifying to think about," Ms. McQuade said.
 
While Scotland hasn't suffered any permanent physical harm, the
family is concerned about the psychological impact of the ordeal.
He is trained not to be distracted by other dogs when he and
Caden are out walking together, a skill the attack might have
compromised.
 
The family has been told by the Lions Club of Canada -- the group
responsible for training dog guides -- to keep a close eye on
Scotland in the coming weeks.
 
Ms. McQuade wants the public to hear their story so people will
take more care when it comes to leashing their dogs or containing
them on their property.
 
Kevin Feagan, the City's manager of municipal law enforcement,
said an investigation into the incident is ongoing. City staff is
still waiting on a police report and statements from two
witnesses.
 
"We haven't been able to confirm where the two dogs live," he
noted. "Once we have that information, we can do more."
 
Consequences in these situations range from a muzzle and control
order, to "destruction" of the offending animal. 
 
If the dog in question is a pit bull -- and City officials think
one of the dogs that attacked Scotland might be -- the Dog Owners
Liability Act also comes into play.
 
Ms. McQuade is hoping for swift justice. 
 
She says Scotland has made a huge difference in Caden's life in
the short time he has been with the family, and doesn't want his
attack to go unresolved.
 
"He helps keep Caden safe, he helps him with anxiety, he helps
him sleep through the night," she says. "He's a good dog, he
didn't deserve this."
 
Anyone who has been bitten or attacked by a dog is encouraged to
report the incident as soon as possible by calling Service Oshawa
at 905-436-3311.