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Police dog that attacked Abbotsford boy, 8, back at work
RULED NO DANGER: Animal was following its training when it bit boy's arm: RCMP

Susan Lazaruk, The Province
Published: Sunday, December 10, 2006

An RCMP dog that attacked a boy tobogganing on his quiet Abbotsford street, leaving him with a wound requiring 50 stitches, is going back to work -- despite calls for it to be put down.

Lucas, a five-year-old German shepherd, charged the eight-year-old and dragged him by the arm off the sled on a Monday morning late last month.

It wouldn't let go even after an adult neighbour hit him several times on the head with a shovel.

The dog finally let the boy go after a passing motorist hit the dog on the head with a heavy metal steering-wheel lock.

The dog, who lived nearby with handler Sgt. Tom Smith, apparently escaped a back-yard kennel.

Locals wrote letters to the editor calling for the dog to be put down.

RCMP spokesman Cpl. Pierre Lemaitre said the dog had two examinations to determine his fitness for duty and passed both.

"We don't see that the dog needs to be put down," said Lemaitre. "It's important to point out dogs -- any dog, not just a police dog -- don't get put down if they've bitten someone. This dog is not being given any special treatment."

He said Insp. Pat Walsh of Mission RCMP was to review the incident. Walsh did not return calls.

Lemaitre said the dog was reacting in a way he was trained to do with the child -- that is, clamping on to his arm and not letting go, and was not "mauling" him.

Lemaitre also said it's up to a veterinarian to judge whether a dog needs to be put down, and the vet has to apply for a judicial order.

Abbotsford police said it's up to the municipal pound.

Lemaitre said the force immediately advised dog handlers to double-lock kennels, and the family, who haven't been identified, and their neighbours have been informed the dog is back at work.

Willow Joiner, who lives two doors down and who helped the boy's mother with her son after the attack, said she's a little wary knowing the dog is still nearby.

"I'm not going to let this cripple my life but I'm definitely going to be more cautious now," said the mother of four children, eight, six, four and two. "It's definitely changed my views about dogs."

slazaruk@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Province 2006