Killer pit bull put down by animal shelter
Three dogs attacked and killed pet cat; one dog taken from pound

Kent Spencer, The Province
Published: Wednesday, January 11, 2006

One of three cat-killing pit bulls was put down yesterday.

The fate of the second dog has not been decided and the third is missing.

A female called Alize, one of three pit bulls that killed a cat last month in North Vancouver District, was destroyed.

"The dog was identified by us as being the main party in the attack," said Norm Nikkel, administrator of the North Shore Animal Shelter.

"The owner surrendered the dog to us with the understanding she would be euthanized. The alternative was to go to the court for an order to destroy, and the owner didn't want to proceed that way."

Owner Karim Goldan said he was left with little choice.

"They say she was at fault," said Goldan.

"It's sad. It was our responsibility, and our dog has suffered. I tried my hardest not to let her get put down, but the bylaws said she had to be [destroyed] because any dog that kills another animal has to be. The bylaws suck. Biting a cat is different than biting a human."

Goldan was fined $250 because Alize was unmuzzled, running loose and unconfined. He was also fined $250 for a four-month-old named Shine that was involved in the attack.

Shine, the pup of the other two dogs, was stolen from the Vancouver SPCA last week. Police are investigating.

The fate of the third pit bull, a male named King who is owned by Abtin Kanani, will be decided after a further review of evidence, said Nikkel.

Goldan said King could be put down or given to new owners.

The two surviving animals are designated "vicious," said Nikkel.

Cat owner Sheila Hughes said she was saddened that the dog had to be destroyed.

"If dogs are too aggressive, they need to be put down," she said.