Olds RCMP have laid bylaw charges against the owner of two pit bulls that attacked a Mountie but were repelled with pepper spray.
Last week Lonny McCauley, 41, of Olds was served with a bylaw ticket charging him with allowing his canines to run at large and attack citizens. McCauley has the choice of immediately paying the legislated fine or challenging it at a later date before a provincial court judge.
The incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 27. RCMP received a complaint that two aggressive dogs were running at large in the area of 47 Avenue.
When RCMP arrived at the scene one man had taken refuge by climbing a fence while another locked himself up in his vehicle as a means to protect himself from the out-of-control pits.
The canines, described as male and female boxer pit bull crosses, then attempted to attack the police officer but the Mountie fired his pepper spray and the dogs were stopped.
There were no injuries reported from the incident.
Zero tolerance declared on wild street behaviour
Police will no longer tolerate unruly late night conduct on the streets and there will be a crackdown on bar traffic.
Olds RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin Morton said they are seeing a higher volume of liquor issues on the streets from the downtown core to Olds College.
He said up to 20 bylaw tickets were issued in one night last week to young people who overdid themselves at the bars. Police said they are seeing an increase in cases of open liquor.
“One guy got tickets one hour apart,” said Morton, adding there will now be “zero tolerance” for such behaviour.
Accused stabber at large
Town Mounties are seeking the public's help in locating a man who has missed several dates to appear in court to answer to charges of stabbing a local bar worker.
Olds RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin Morton said Dallas Eldon Taylor, 28, of Olds, is wanted on several Criminal Code charges, including aggravated assault, uttering threats and several offences for failing to appear in court.
Taylor was charged with the assault and making threats offences following a July 31, 2010 incident outside the Blue Yak bar on 50 Street. Morton said a bar employee was stabbed outside the nearby Shoppers Drug Mart. The victim's wounds were serious and he had to be taken to Calgary for treatment.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Taylor is asked to contact Olds RCMP at 403-556-3324.
Local mischief-maker fined
An Olds man has been fined $500 in Didsbury provincial court for making multiple unnecessary phone calls to police that he needed medical attention.
Craig Reid, 47, of Olds, was convicted last week. Court was told that in January of this year Reid made a number of calls to the RCMP's communication centre, claiming that he needed medical attention and that he was not happy with prior police service response. Court was told that Reid's phone calls suggested that firearms might be involved with his concerns.
Court was told he then hung up but did not answer follow-up phone calls from the police.
RCMP then went to his residence and were forced to kick in the door in an attempt to locate Reid. He was found lying in his bed. He was forcibly arrested.
Cops have toy gun concerns
Olds RCMP are urging citizens who use recreational paintball guns to do so in the proper venue.
On Sept. 9 Mounties were called in the early evening to the east side of town to investigate reports that young people were shooting guns. It was discovered they were firing off air soft guns, which are used for games of paintball.
“Any time we have guns out it raises a huge risk for everyone,” said Olds RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin Morton. “This is a huge concern for community safety. If you want to play with those guns do it in the proper venue.”
Police urge better rural road safety
Too many motorists are presenting safety risks to themselves and others by slamming to a stop on rural roads to answer cellphone calls, say Olds RCMP.
Police say they are hearing an increasing number of reports of motorists not parking in a safe place when they get calls. Some motorists are parking too close to moving traffic in front and behind them, said police
“The transition is not done safely but erratically,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Morton. “Ignore your cellphone until you can park safely, or just turn it off.”
As well, Morton is advising motorists to be careful on roads and highways now that it is harvest season.
“There are a lot of farm vehicles out this time of year,” he said. “You have to pass them just like you would any other vehicle.”
