Regional animal control officer Wayne Belleville was quoted as saying: 鈥淚 think it would be anyone鈥檚 worst nightmare; a dog ripping your face apart.鈥�

A 76-year-old Osoyoos woman had been knocked down and mauled. Injuries to her face were so severe she had to be airlifted to Vancouver for surgery.

Thegain when Mr. Belleville went to investigate. It slipped out of its collar and sunk its teeth into Mr. Belleville鈥檚 arm.

Mr. Belleville, a lover of dogs, was sickened not only by the incident, but also that he had to be involved in the dog鈥檚 euthanasia.

He emphasized the need to take the time to socialize pets. And if a guard dog, to ensure they are properly contained.

RCMP Sgt. Jason Bayda was quoted as saying 鈥淭his incident is a sad reminder of what can happen when a dog is not socially trained and is not secured鈥�. Also showing concern for the dog, he noted 鈥淣ot only do we have a situation where two people were injured, we also have a situation where the dog needed to be put down鈥�.

I posted about the incident on Facebook, inviting column topic ideas.

Responses mirrored the comments of Mr. Belleville and Sgt. Bayda, emphasizing the responsibility of dog owners along with compassion for the dog.

One commented: 鈥淚t鈥檚 our job as pet owners to control our pets and teach them right from wrong鈥�.every pet owner should be aware of what their dog is like and take precautions to keep everyone safe.鈥�

She continued: 鈥淗owever, I don鈥檛 agree with this dog being put down. Dogs aren鈥檛 born mean. It鈥檚 a lack of training and a reflection of the owner(s)鈥�.

Another: 鈥淒isappointed in the care, discipline and raising of this pet. Show the Love and pets show unconditionally.鈥�

And another: 鈥淣o bad dogs, just bad owners. Yup. It鈥檚 as much a pet owners responsibility to make sure their pet is safe and others are safe from them. Not just 鈥渃ontrol鈥� them but make sure they are socially adept so that the dog doesn鈥檛 have to go through unnecessary stress either. Common sense鈥� but it is not that common.鈥�

I remember hearing the gun shots of my pet dog, and my brother鈥檚, being killed by my father after they got a taste for chickens on the farm. Perhaps it鈥檚 my upbringing, or a correct assessment by a long ago girlfriend that I鈥檓 鈥渆motionally dead鈥�, but my concern is not with the dog.

My concern is with the elderly woman whose face was ripped apart.

And the many others who are attacked from time to time causing less serious injuries.

And owners of small dogs who undergo significant vet bills and sometimes the loss of their pets when uncontrolled larger dogs attack.

I overwhelmingly agree that responsibility lies at the feet of the attacking dog鈥檚 owner.

A dog鈥檚 owner has complete control over how much time and energy is spent socializing and training the dog. And to what extent, if at all, the dog is given freedom beyond the length of a leash.

Does accountability breed motivation and commitment?

Is it common sense that the higher the accountability of pet owners for damage caused by their pets, the more motivated and committed they are likely to be to ensure their pets don鈥檛 cause damage?

Would increased accountability lead to increased time and energy spent on socializing and training? And to an increased level of caution about letting them off leash?

And might it lead to the choice of smaller, more docile types of pets capable of inflicting much less harm than larger, more aggressive types?

In my next column I will review the level of accountability of dog owners in our current laws and ask whether we think that might need to change

Missed last week鈥檚 column?

About Paul Hergott, Personal Injury Lawyer:

Paul began practicing law in 1995 in a general litigation practice. Of the various areas of litigation, he became most drawn to and passionate about pursuing fair compensation for personal injury victims, which has gradually became his exclusive area of practice. Paul鈥檚 practice is restricted to acting only for the injured victim, never for ICBC nor for other insurance companies.

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