A 26-year-old woman remains in Calgary hospital after being attacked and severely injured by two male pitbulls in the Sundre Mobile Estates trailer park early Saturday.
The woman, who was flown by STARS to Foothills Hospital, was originally listed in life-threatening condition but was upgraded to serious on Sunday. She reportedly suffered head and arms injuries in the attack, which occurred at about 2 a.m.
She is believed to be a Calgary resident who was visiting the owner of the trailer where the attack occurred. She has not been named.
When police arrived at the scene following a 911 call from a neighbour, a Sundre RCMP officer, who police have not named, shot and killed one of the dogs on scene. The second dog was taken by animal services to a holding facility outside Sundre.
No one answered the door at the trailer on Sunday.
The attack occurred inside the trailer, which is located immediately adjacent to the Sundre rodeo grounds on 4 Street N.W.
It is not immediately known what may have triggered the attack.
Charges against the dogs' owners are pending, said Sundre RCMP Cpl. Ryan Hodge.
Hodge, who attended the trailer following the attack called the scene “very traumatic.”
Sundre RCMP Const. Val Dennis says the police investigation is ongoing, although officers have not yet been able to conduct an interview with the victim because of the severity of her injuries.
A dangerous dog hearing will likely be held to determine the fate of the dog now in quarantine.
A man who lives in a trailer very close to the trailer where the attack occurred, said he called 911 immediately following the attack.
“One of the neighbour's friends came to the door and said he needed help, that his girlfriend had been attacked,” the man, who asked not to be named, said Sunday. “I almost did but they I realized that if I did go in there, there would be two people getting attacked, not just one.
“I'm hoping the dog never comes back. Nobody needs to be having a dog like that, especially in town. I can't let my kids come out side and play because somebody's dog is going to get out and eat them? That's just not acceptable.”
Richard Vanalstyne, who lives in a trailer directly behind where the attack occurred, said he is very concerned about the whole incident. “I have four young children and I sure don't want to see something like this happening in this neighbourhood,” said Vanalsytne. “This is a nice park and we don't need anything like this happening.”
Clayton and Gayle Jackson, who live a few doors down from the trailer in question, echoed Vanalsytne's comments, saying the incidents is troubling to everyone.
“It's sad, very sad,” said Gayle Jackson.
“It's a concern that it happens anywhere,” said Clayton. “It could have been a kid that was attacked instead of an adult.”
Gayle said the dogs in questions attacked another dog in the park some months ago.
“They just about killed that dog, ripping it to pieces,” said Gayle.
She said one of her neighbour's had to “run to her place” after the dogs involved in Saturday's attack went after her some time ago.
The Jacksons said they do not ever want the second dog back in the park.
Sundre Mayor Annette Clews called the attack “very concerning to everyone.”
Both the dogs had been registered under the town's recently adopted animal control bylaw, she said.
The attack and any possible follow up action will be discussed at this week's regularly scheduled town council meeting, she said.
