http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/story.asp?id=470FB3BD-BE1E-419A-A475-D2610C028ACB

Guide dog on the mend from attack

Jeff Bell
Times Colonist

Thursday, March 25, 2004

Hillie, a Labrador retriever guide dog, is recovering from injuries suffered in a pit bull attack. One of the pit bulls has been euthanized.

Hillie the guide dog was well enough to return home Wednesday after being treated for severe wounds suffered in an attack by pit bulls.

Oriano Belusic, who is blind, said his guide dog of five-and-a-half years came through surgery at Central Victoria Animal Hospital to repair deep cuts and other wounds. "I think things are on the mend."

Belusic was able to visit Hillie, a yellow Labrador, a few hours after her Tuesday treatment.

"I managed to get one nice deep breath and sigh out of her when I rubbed her ear, but she didn't have any energy to stand up."

By Wednesday morning, the veterinarian reported that Hillie was much more chipper and was getting back on her feet, Belusic said.

Publicity about the Monday night attack at Bay and Shelbourne streets that saw Hillie set upon by two loose pit bulls kept the phone ringing constantly with calls from complete strangers expressing their concern and offering money for vet bills, Belusic said.

The attack came as he was walking with his wife, Doris, home from her job at Royal Jubilee Hospital.

"It's been an amazing response. There have been many offers of generosity and I thank everybody, but we're able to look after things ourselves," he said.

Instead, Doris Belusic's friends at the hospital will collect donations on her behalf and forward them to the Vancouver Island Dog Guide Society and the SPCA. Co-worker Jennifer Lester said the staff wants to help the Belusics in some way, and to see Hillie make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, one of the pit bulls involved in the incident has been put down at Victoria Animal Control Services.

"The owner surrendered the dog to us with the understanding that it would be put down," said Ian Fraser. "That young lady has realized the seriousness of the issue and has realized the right thing to do -- her dog was a liability to public safety."

The other dog, the alleged aggressor in the attack, remains locked up.

"The other dog is still here at the pound and we will not be releasing it back to its owner unless the courts order us to do that," Fraser said.

"The (owner) is having difficulty with the issue and at this time is looking at her legal options."

The dog has been declared a dangerous animal, he said.