A dangerous dog hearing being held to determine the fate of a dog that tore a large chunk of flesh from the arm of an Olds woman last summer has been adjourned until November.
The hearing under the provincial Dangerous Dog Act is being held to determine if the 2 -year-old mixed breed dog should be destroyed.
Lynn McKay, 51, was attacked in an alley in Olds on August 19. She suffered severe wounds that required extensive medical treatment and have left a permanent scar.
The owner of the dog pleaded guilty in December to a charge under the Olds dog bylaw and was fined $300.
The dangerous dog hearing got underway before commissioner John Szekeres in February and continued on Friday.
Testifying for the defence on Friday, Olds government certified master dog trainer Jodi Dixon said she examined the 50-kilogram dog following the attack. She said she found the animal “laid back” and “easy going”, with a “shy” disposition.
She recommended that the dog receive obedience training and that it not be put down.
“I would not recommend euthanasia,” said Dixon.
She suggested the animal be examined and receive training over the next six months and that it be re-examined after that time to determine if it needs to be put down.
Also testifying for the defence on Friday, dog groomer Amanda Hrushka said she has groomed the dog numerous times since the August attack and has never seen the animal exhibit any aggressive behaviour.
Testifying for the Crown in February, Lynn McKay said the attack occurred without provocation and without warning.
“The dog was laying on the ground and all of a sudden the dog was lunging at me. The dog knocked me to the ground and shook me like a french fry,” said McKay.
Both McKay and Crown prosecutor Dave Burroughs say they want the dog put down.
Commissioner Szekeres ordered the hearing adjourned until November 9 so the dog can undergo further testing and evaluation.
He also ordered that the dog be muzzled whenever outside its secure compound on the rural property outside Olds where it now lives.
