Village Media welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). This letter is in response to an article about a woman who was attacked by a dog, published Oct. 7.
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I am sickened to see Barrie Police Services shirk their responsibilities in the case of the dog attack incident in Barrie on Thursday, Oct. 6.
The woman was the victim of a vicious attack and sustained serious injuries. Police should be actively involved in the investigation and apprehension of this dangerous animal and the questioning of its allegedly irresponsible owner. They shouldn’t be shrugging it off as a bylaw matter. Disgraceful.
Owners of dogs that attack people can be charged with criminal offences such as criminal negligence and it is the police who are responsible for laying these charges. In addition, the dog presents a clear and present danger to the community and the police have a duty to deal with it. Owners may also face civil liability under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act.
The incident should also be reported to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. The health unit investigates animal bites because of the risk of rabies. They also keep a record of dog attacks and will take action if a dog is reported more than once.
As the number of dogs in our communities grows daily, the authorities, including the police, must do their duty and protect citizens from these potentially dangerous animals.
Mark Elgar
Orillia
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