Editor:
This letter is a warning regarding yet another dangerous animal in South Surrey.
There is a pitbull-type dog living near 172 Street and 23 Avenue. The owners have recently moved there and, according to animal control, keep the dog tied up on the porch, since there is no fence or kennel on the property.
Apparently, they don’t tie it up well enough: on July 18 as I was walking up the road, on the opposite side of the road to the property, the dog was loose and launched a full-on attack.
It was terrifying – I am a small, 64-year-old woman, the dog is large and very aggressive.
I was fortunate – I managed to deflect most of the attempt to bite down on my right arm with a newspaper and some mail I was carrying. The teeth shredded some of the paper and grazed my arm just about the wrist – it did draw blood. What would have happened had I lost my footing? Or if a child was with me?
No one answered my yells for help – no one was home.
I managed to call 911 (thank goodness for cellphones). Two police vehicles arrived. As one officer got out of his car, the dog went after him. Eventually, the dog was captured (took three officers and two animal-control officers about an hour to do it).
Surprisingly, this animal has been released and is back at home.
The owners paid a fine, the animal is now listed as “dangerous” and must be contained, leashed and muzzled. According to the animal-control officer, the owners claim the dog is safe, he plays with their children.
Really? I wouldn’t have him anywhere near a child – with no provocation he has attacked once – he will do it again.
Please, residents of the neighbourhood and surrounding area, be very cautious – it is not safe to walk there, and please, warn your children of the danger.
Mary Spani, Chilliwack