A frantic call to 911 brought RCMP to a home south of Stettler last week, but it was too late for the family pet, which had been mauled and killed by two loose pitbulls.
On Sept. 15, police responded to a call shortly before 6:30 p.m. about two loose pitbulls attacking a family dog in the family’s yard near the airport.
When police arrived, there was unfortunately nothing to be done to save the victim dog, though the two pitbulls were captured and seized by Alberta Animal and Municipal Enforcement Services (AAMES).
Because the pitbulls had attacked and killed a dog, the RCMP found their hands tied, explained Const. Curtis Duplessis.
“If the dogs had attacked a human, we could do something,” he said, explaining that in order for the pitbulls to be declared dangerous animals it requires an attack on people, or a judge’s order when on other animals.
AAMES is now investigating the incident and will determine whether or not the case should be brought before a judge to have the animals declared dangerous, and will decide if charges should be brought to the bench to be laid against the pitbulls’ owners.