A Nova Scotia dog trainer says proper training and supervision could have prevented the death of a 13-year-old boy who was fatally attacked by three dogs in Shelburne County.
The tragedy has left the small southwestern Nova Scotia community grieving and raises urgent questions about public safety.
Drew Nickerson was riding his bicycle home when he was attacked by the dogs on Upper Sandy Cove Road in Welshtown late Saturday afternoon.
The RCMP confirms one of the dog owners attended the scene and took the boy to hospital.
He was then airlifted to hospital in Halifax, where he later died from his injuries.
Police confirmed Wednesday that the dogs involved in the attack were two Cane Corsos and a Rottweiler. They have all been euthanized by a veterinarian.
‘That’s when disaster happens’
Bob Ottenbrite, owner of Lietash Canine Academy in South Rawdon, N.S., says the breeds involved are often strong, loyal family dogs — but only when properly handled.
“They are wonderful dogs. We train lots of them,” he said. “But if they’re not trained and not socialized, they start seeing outside influences as threats, and that’s when disaster happens.”
Ottenbrite says pack dynamics appear to have played a significant role in the attack.
“Once one goes, the others follow. There’s usually a leader, and the rest will pile on,” he said. “It’s a competitive nature of dogs, it’s just a pack mentality, and it just escalates the situation in seconds.”
At his own facility, Ottenbrite says he limits group interactions precisely to avoid that dynamic.
“I only let two, maximum three dogs play, to two from the same household,” he said. “They can gang up unintentionally. People don’t realize how quickly it can happen.”
He says owners must take training, structure, and socialization as seriously as food and shelter.
“Dogs don’t just magically behave because we love them,” he said. “You have to take them, expose them to the community, teach them that people walking by, mail trucks, kids on bicycles — those aren’t threats.”
Ottenbrite insists many dog owners underestimate the strength and instincts of powerful breeds.
“It could have been the child going by, or other people going by repeatedly, the dogs bark. They’re not corrected for the barking, and then it escalates,” he said. “Dogs are very, very powerful. People don’t realize.”
Ottenbrite says the tragedy underscores a simple truth.
“If you’re not home, keep your dogs locked up,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a kind dog, it weighs two pounds, or weighs 200 pounds. They’re an animal, and they have to be treated as such.”
He said the path forward starts with awareness.
“You cannot stop a strong dog, even a smaller dog, when they’re intent on biting you, they can still do a lot of damage,” he said. “So, the dogs should be socialized with [people].”
No charges at this time
The RCMP says the investigation into the fatal attack remains active.
Shelburne RCMP Sgt. Mark Macpherson says investigators are conducting a neighbourhood canvas and have been able to locate and seize some video footage of the attack.
He confirmed the owners are cooperating and requested the dogs be put down after veterinary consultation.
“They wanted the dogs euthanized as soon as possible,” he said. “They’ve been affected by this tragedy as well.”
As for possible charges, he says it’s too early to comment.
“We just want to investigate, collect all the facts, be thorough, and then we will make decisions as we move forward,” Macpherson said.
Police would not comment on public safety related to the specific dog breeds involved in the attack.
Meanwhile, Macpherson is urging residents to support the family and let investigators work.
“This has been a terrible tragedy,” he said. “Thoughts go to his loved ones and his family, and they need support.”
District of Shelburne to review animal bylaws
Penny Smith, warden of the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, says the municipality will meet with the RCMP once the investigation is complete to understand exactly what happened and determine if any follow-up action needs to be taken “from a municipal public safety perspective.”
Smith says the municipality will review its current animal control bylaws and enforcement approach to determine whether improvements are needed.
“If there are lessons to be shared with other municipalities across the province, we are committed to being part of that conversation,” Smith told CTV News Atlantic in a statement.
Smith says the municipality has not received any complaints related to the specific dogs involved in the incident.
“We did receive one complaint regarding a different dog off-leash in the broader Welshtown area, which was addressed by our bylaw officer at the time,” said Smith.
“We encourage residents to report loose or aggressive dogs directly to the Municipality so we can respond promptly.”
The Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs issued this statement:
“This was a tragic event and our hearts go out to the family, community and all those who may have been affected by this loss. We appreciate the concerns raised by community members. At this point, it is important to note that the RCMP investigation is still ongoing. Under the Municipal Government Act, municipalities have the authority to set and enforce dog by-laws.”
Community rallies to help family
Friend Patricia Harris has launched a GoFundMe to help Nickerson’s mother, Dawn. More than $124,000 had been raised as of 2 p.m. Thursday.
“It was such a horrible thing that happened,” Harris told CTV News Atlantic. “He was such a dear young man.”
Harris said Nickerson was doing what he loved.
“He was not aggravating the dogs. He was riding his bicycle home,” she said. “He was riding his bicycle like he loves to do, and the dogs were running loose with nobody home to look after the dogs.”
She said rumours suggesting otherwise are false.
“Drew did know the dogs and the dogs did know Drew,” Harris said. “It wasn’t somebody that they didn’t know, or like rumours were saying that he was tormenting the dogs. No, that needs to be stopped right now.”
Harris said, while Dawn mourns the tragic loss of her son, she is overwhelmed by the support and love she is being shown.
RELATED STORIES:
- Police confirm breed of dogs that fatally attacked 13-year-old N.S. boy
- N.S. boy who was attacked by 3 dogs dies from injuries
- Youth attacked by 3 dogs in Shelburne County hospitalized with life-threatening injuries
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