Fort McMurray dog that killed chihuahua designated as vicious animal

Municipal councillorsinFort McMurrayhave upheld a vicious animal designation for a dog that killed a chihuahua.

The case was presented to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo at a council meeting Tuesday.

Deanne Bergey, senior manager for RCMP support and bylaw services for the municipality, presented her arguments to confirmthe vicious dog designation on aboxer mastiff cross named Stanley.

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Bergey prefaced her presentation by saying Stanley's owner,KellieBrannan, is acaring and conscientious owner but the public needsto be protected from her dog.

"We believe this action to declare Stanley as dangerous is necessary to protect other animals and the public," Bergey said.

In June, Stanleyattacked a six-month-old chihuahua, according to a report submitted to municipal council Tuesday.

Stanley broke away from his leash and escaped through the front door of his owner's home and attacked the chihuahua, which was leashed to a door-step railing in another yard. Stanley's owner was not home at the time of the attack.

The chihuahua died immediately from multiple puncture wounds to the neck and ears, the report said.

A peace officer told the owner in July he intended to classify the boxer mastiff cross as a vicious animal.

The classification means current and future owners must hold liability insurance worth at least $500,000and the dog can only leave the owner's property when leashed and muzzled as per the municipality's bylaws.

Red flags raised

Before Stanley was adopted from the pound, bylaw services found intake forms that described the dog as"kennel aggressive and lunging, barking at other dogs," according to a report submitted to council.

Stanley's dog walker, who was caring for the dog duringthe June incident,said in a statement that Stanleywould act aggressively whenever he saw people.

Stanley now on his best behaviour

Challenging the designation, Brannan told councilthat Stanley was timid and would cower in fear when she would raise her hand.

"All indications werethat he didn't have a good life prior to living with me," Brannan said at Tuesday's council meeting.

Brannan said her biggest concern with imposing the designation is that her dog would not be able to run free in her yard.

Sheplans to keep Stanleyand already has the required insurance.

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Brannan said Stanley has been on his best behaviour since the incident.

"I do not believe this was a vicious attack as there were numerous interactions with other dogs and there's never been another incident," Brannan said.

In the end, councilvoted unanimouslyto support the vicious dog designation.

"It was a chihuahua," said Coun. Phil Meagher. "But what if that was a child?"

Connect with David Thurton, CBC'sFort McMurraycorrespondent, onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedInor email him atdavid.thurton@cbc.ca