http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/news/story.html?id=bc400404-16a3-4f26-8e43-992a92d14acd

Vicious dog remains free unless victim files complaint

Keith Fraser
The Province

February 16, 2004

A Bowen Island man has had his nose bitten off by a vicious Rottweiler, but authorities say they can't act unless the victim or a witness to the attack complains about the incident.

The man, a construction worker, leaned over to pat the dog earlier this month and was set upon, resulting in serious facial injuries that required hospitalization and plastic surgery.

Chris Buchanan, the island's bylaw enforcement officer, said yesterday he spoke to the man's wife and told her that her husband should report the attack so the matter could be investigated.

Buchanan said he understands that the victim is reluctant to come forward because the dog is owned by the victim's friend.

"We have dog fights on this island all the time that have never been brought forward, and I do hear through hearsay of them happening," he said.

"And sometimes it's dogs [attacking] the second or third time. If we don't get a complaint, so that I can actually act in the proper capacity, my hands are tied."

Under the law, he needs to substantiate "reasonable belief" that the dog could cause further problems, and "when you're in an enforcement capacity, it has to be a factual belief, not a gut feeling."

He added that declaring a dog dangerous doesn't mean the authorities automatically destroy the animal.

Bowen Island RCMP said they had also heard about the attack, but no one has complained to them, either.

"At this point in time, we're not going to be able to do anything," said an officer.