Robert Paige felt like he was fighting for his life after a stray dog attacked him as he walked to his car near Jeanne-Mance and Cyr Avenue in Vanier on Saturday.
“The dog comes out like a rocket,” Paige said. “Then he started grabbing me by the throat … jumping in the air.”
Paige said the frightening moment lasted five minutes and took him to hospital for more than 11 hours. He received injuries to his forearms and ankles, but is grateful that his injuries are not worse.
“My fists were closed. If my fist wasn’t closed, I would probably miss some fingers,” he told the CBC.
Robert Paige says he “fought for his life” during a dog attack. (Rachel Elsieufi / CBC)
In an email statement, Ottawa police said they had received a call about a “dangerous dog” that attacked a man around 10 p.m. When officers arrived, they were able to find the person in charge of the dog.
“The guardian informs us that the dog has already returned home and the staff have followed the guardian to her residence,” the statement said.
“When she opened the door, the dog passed her and fled into the street, where she attacked and bit another man.
Paige says he thinks he may have lost his fingers in the attack if his fist had not been clenched. (Bruce McConville)
“It could have been fatal”
Bruce McConville, the second man attacked, spent 10 hours in hospital with signs of bites on the inside of his right arm, left abdomen and knee injuries.
“The doctor at Montfort Hospital says it is on a small part of a major artery,” he said. “It could have been a fatal injury.
McConville suffered injuries to his right forearm. (Bruce McConville)
Both men said not enough was being done to ensure that this type of attack would not happen again.
“This leaves the public, the elderly and children vulnerable to repeated dog attacks,” McConville said.
Robert Paige, left, and Bruce McConville were injured Saturday night in two separate attacks by the same dog. (Bruce McConville)
Barrel order, $ 1,600 fine
After the second attack, police said officers found the dog and used an electric shock.
“The deployment was successful and the dog returned to the residence where he was secured,” the police said in a statement.
Tanya McCumber, acting director of regulations and regulatory services (BLRS), said in a written statement that the department had issued an order to muzzle the animal.
Five charges have also been issued under the Animal Care and Control Act:
- Two allegations of failure to ensure that the dog does not bite or attack a person without provocation ($ 615 for violation).
- Two charges of failing to keep a dog on a leash and under control ($ 125 for violation).
- A census for not registering a dog in the city of Ottawa ($ 125 for violation).
“BLRS reserves the right to charge for Dog Ownership Liability Act (DOLA), “McCumber said in a statement.
“If it is established that the owner of a vicious dog has violated a provision of DOLA, or his dog has been bitten, attacked or posed a threat to public safety, the court may issue an order for compulsory destruction.
Police and regulations would not confirm the dog’s breed. Both victims believe it was a limited breed in Ontario.
Add Comment