Mayor Judy Dahl says it is important for the Town of Olds to review its dog bylaw in the wake of the horrific recent attack of two pitbulls on a Calgary woman in Sundre earlier this month.
Mayor Judy Dahl says it is important for the Town of Olds to review its dog bylaw in the wake of the horrific recent attack of two pitbulls on a Calgary woman in Sundre earlier this month.
"(Up to) today, we haven’t had any incidents, but … I always say that it’s always good to review a bylaw, so I guess my comment would be that in situations like that in surrounding communities that it’s important that we revisit our bylaw and make sure that it’s up to standards," said Dahl.
The mayor added she is unaware of any similar incidents in this community and that the bylaw is working well – for now.
Dahl said she would not be in favour of a blanket ban on any breed of dog, such as the one that Ontario has enacted on pit bulls.
"I don’t want to pre-judge any dog owner for the way that they raise their animals. I believe that it’s something that has to be discussed with council as a whole," she said.
Meanwhile, the Sundre woman charged after a 26-year-old Calgary woman was attacked and severely injured by two pitbulls in a Sundre trailer park on Aug. 18 made her first court appearance on Monday.
Rita Phillip, 57, who faces a charge of aggravated assault, appeared in Calgary provincial court Monday morning. The case was adjourned until August 29 for a bail hearing.
Immediately following the court appearance, Phillip was taken to a Calgary hospital suffering from shortness of breath, said Sundre RCMP Const. Abe Letkeman.
Her condition was not immediately known at press time.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
A 26-year-old Calgary woman was flown by STARS to Foothills Hospital in Calgary with life threatening injuries after being found unconscious inside a trailer in the Sundre Mobile Estates park shortly after 2 a.m. on August 18.
Her condition was later upgraded to serious, and she remains in hospital this week. She has not been named.
Police say the victim, who was visiting the residence, was attacked by two male pitbulls owned by the accused. The victim suffered head, facial and arm injuries.
Sundre RCMP Cpl. Ryan Hodge described the scene as "very traumatic" when emergency personnel arrived following a 911 call from a neighbour.
"We are very cognizant of how this incident has impacted the victim, her family, and emergency workers who attended the scene," he said.
One of the pitbulls was shot and killed by an RCMP officer at the scene. The dog’s remains are being tested for rabies by the Canada Food Inspection Agency.
The second dog remains in quarantine pending testing and a possible dangerous dog hearing.
"For public safety reasons, police are not allowing media access to the second dog, which remains under quarantine until further investigation determines it’s fate," said Hodge.
Following the attack police issued a Canada-wide warrant for Rita Phillip’s arrest. On August 24 she was arrested without incident at a Calgary casino.
"Calgary Police Service (CPS) received a call from Rita Phillip last night (Aug. 24), who identified herself and added the fact that she was wanted by Sundre RCMP, but would not give her current location," said Cpl. Hodge.
"With the assistance from the public, CPS was able to determine that Phillip was at a casino in the northeast part of Calgary (where) Phillip was taken into custody without incident."
Const. Letkeman says the police investigation in to the mauling is continuing this week.
