Labrador-like and Collie-like dogs kill puppy (Saanich, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Elderly+Saanich+couple+says+large+leash+killed+their+poodle/2180031/story.html


Elderly Saanich couple says large, off-leash dog killed their pet poodle
By Joanne Hatherly, Times Colonist
November 3, 2009

An elderly Saanich couple are in shock after their five-month old puppy was killed by what they described as a larger dog on the Galloping Goose trail this morning.
Edith Dixon, 81, was walking her toy poodle puppy Kiki on the trail between the Saanich Municipal Hall and Saanich Road at 9 a.m. when she saw several men approaching accompanied by what she described as two large, off-leash dogs.
She said one of the dogs lunged at the puppy.
Dixon was too upset to speak about what happened next, but her husband, Arthur Dixon, 85, conveyed her story.
Arthur said the dog seized the puppy and shook it. Edith believes one of the men tried to pull the dog off her puppy her husband said, but when the dog released Kiki, it lunged a second time and delivered a severe bite to the puppy’s abdomen.
“It bit at her and bit her in two practically,” Arthur said. “There wasn’t much to her, she’s just a toy poodle.”
Edith said the men quickly grabbed the large dogs and fled.
The puppy died before Edith was able to make it home.
“They didn’t provide any assistance to the lady, nor to the puppy,” said Sgt. Julie Fast, spokeswoman for Saanich police.
It’s the type of situation that plays out repeatedly, said Saanich pound investigator Susan Ryan.
“In my experience, dog owners just want to get their dog out of there and never be seen,” Ryan said. She said the unprovoked attack may indicate the dog is aggressive.
Fast said that Edith was focused on protecting her puppy, and so was unable to provide a detailed description of the men or the dogs. Ryan said that a witness has come forward and they are working to get a better description, but they still need help from the public.
The dog that was involved with the puppy was described as a large white dog with short fur, resembling a Labrador retriever. The other dog with the men was a large black dog with white markings and slightly longer fur with a collie appearance.
The attack occurred in an area of the trail where off-leash dogs are prohibited.
Police ask that anyone with information on this incident or who recognize the dogs by this description, contact Saanich pound at 250-475-4321 local 4360
jhatherly@tc.canwest.com
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