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17-month-old mauled to death
Family dog attacks girl at grandparents' home near Smiths Falls
Ciara Byrne and Katie Lewis, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Tuesday, July 03, 2007

MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP - Korie Lyn Edwards, a bright blond-haired, blue-eyed toddler had spent Canada Day at her grandparents' house.

A little before 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the inquisitive 17-month-old was playing outside in the yard, when she wandered over to the family dog, a 10-year-old Rottweiler-German Shepherd cross that was tied up outside her grandparents' home in Montague Township about 70 kilometres southwest of Ottawa,

The dog had no history of violence, but for reasons still not known, it snapped, mauling Korie Lyn so viciously that she died of her injuries after being airlifted to CHEO from the Smiths Falls Hospital.

"She was my spitfire and she's gone now," said Katherine Ivey, the little girl's grandmother yesterday, adding she was too upset to say anything more.

Outside the bungalow on Montague Boundary Road where the attack took place, family and friends were stunned and distraught.

A cluster of mourners sat on the lawn of the woodframe bungalow. A man, voice worn by sadness, said family members were simply too devastated to speak. Nearby, a woman paced the length of the driveway.

Hester Grodde, who runs a cattle farm on the rural road, said she didn't know Korie Lyn, but called her death a tragedy. "Like everyone I'm saddened," she said. "This is very, very unfortunate."

OPP Const. Paige Whiting said the family dog was socialized and accustomed to having children around.

"The dog did not have any prior history," said Const. Whiting.

Neighbours said they recalled a number of dogs living at the house, but were unaware of any problems with the animals. Others, however, said they'd been concerned about the pet Rottweiler-Shepherd.

Emile Therien, a spokesman for the Canada Safety Council, estimates about 460,000 Canadians are bitten by dogs every year.

"It's an awful way to die," said Mr. Therien. "It's vicious and brutal. These dogs are very strong and when they do attack, the severity is extreme."

In 2005, under the Dog Owner's Liability Act, Ontario became the first province to ban people from acquiring pit bull-type dogs. Existing pit bull-type animals must be neutered as well as leashed and muzzled in public. Violators face a maximum penalty of $10,000.

Although Mr. Therien says he doesn't agree with breed-specific bans, nobody has died since the implementation of the ban.

"Actually, the lead biter is the Labrador retriever," said Mr. Therien. "The problem is that if you try to ban a particular breed, you never stop."

The dog that mauled Korie Lyn was a Rottweiler-German shepherd cross.

Adele Foley, president of the Rottweiler Club of Canada, says Rottweilers are often portrayed as vicious dogs.

"The breed itself is actually a cattle dog," she said.

"It's a big, smart, muscular dog. So if people want to use this dog for the wrong reason, they do it."

Ms. Foley said above all, the responsibility lies with owners, not the dog.

"Owning a dog is not a right, it's a privilege," she said. "People can't leave children alone with dogs. The dogs need to be fenced."

The dog that mauled Korie Lyn has been turned over to animal control and will be euthanized today, at the request of the family.

The Lanark Country OPP continue to investigate the case in Montague Township, but "charges are not expected," said Const. Whiting.

An autopsy is scheduled for today.

© The Ottawa Citizen 2007