Police have killed the dog that viciously mauled an 11-year-old boy while riding his scooter to school in south Barrie, Ont.
After days of searching, investigators received a tip around 2:30 a.m. Thursday that the “bully-type” dog had been spotted near Tiffin Street and Patterson Road.
Officers arrived and confirmed it was the same savage animal that had been on the run since Monday.
“The officers spent 15 minutes trying to interact with the dog and trying to use a dog bolt to secure it, but each time it was unsuccessful,” said Inspector Pat Brouillard with the Barrie Police Service.
During the encounter, police say the dog became aggressive and, “due to the immediate safety threat, an officer discharged their weapon, resulting in the dog’s death.”
“Nobody wants to take an animal’s life but in this case with the young child that was severely injured, we certainly didn’t want a reoccurrence of that,” Brouillard told CTV News on Thursday.
“And the dog was not showing any signs of being less aggressive,” he added.
The attack - Monday 8:45 a.m.
The vicious attack happened Monday morning in the area of Essa Road and Loggers Run. Police say the first call for help came in around 8:45 a.m. after the dog mauled the child, who was riding his scooter.
A Barrie man witnessed the incident and intervened by striking the dog with a snow brush until it ran off. The resident reported that the attack lasted nearly 10 minutes.
Officers say the animal also charged at other people in the area.
Investigators tracked the dog to Patterson Road and Florence Park, before other sightings were reported near Dove Crescent. The last confirmed sighting prior to the killing was around 12:30 p.m. Monday.
The aftermath
Barrie police say they still do not know how many people were attacked and are urging all victims to come forward.
Police tell CTV News the owner of the animal has been identified, but not yet contacted.
The City of Barrie’s bylaw department is now investigating the incident with the assistance of Barrie police.
Police say there no grounds for criminal charges and any fines imposed would have to come from bylaw or the province
Any fines or legal action taken will fall under provincial animal control legislation.
The Simcoe Muskoka District health unit tells CTV News a formal request has been sent to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to test the dog for rabies.
Authorities confirm the boy remains in the local hospital in stable condition.
