Colin Wright cwright@nsnews.com

A 26-year-old Burnaby woman is recovering from multiple bites inflicted during a sudden and unprovoked attack by a 43-pound female Staffordshire bull terrier near Deep Cove on April 18.

Lindsay Reinhelt, a booking agent for a Burnaby sound studio, said she had gone to have dinner that evening with a friend at his home on Indian Arm, across from Deep Cove, when the attack occurred.

"I parked and was walking up to the house when the pit bull knocked me to the ground and then started attacking me," Reinhelt said. "If I had been a little kid, I think I'd have been killed. That dog is a super danger to society. I was just walking and it attacked me."

Reinhelt received multiple bites and required six stitches to her right ankle to close the largest gash. The stitched wound has since become infected necessitating treatment with antibiotics. "As it was biting me on the ankle, it pulled me down to the ground, bit both shins, took a chunk of my butt, my arm and my finger. I think I could have been killed if the guy who pulled him off me hadn't been big."

Kimberley Lord, co-ordinator of the District of North Vancouver Animal Welfare Shelter confirmed that the dog, named Jessie, had been picked up by an Animal Welfare Officer on March 9 where it was found straying in or near Panorama Park by the North Vancouver RCMP.

The shelter's report on the dog, a copy of which was given to Reinhelt, states: "She was found late at night by the RCMP who could not approach her due to her fearful, aggressive behaviour."

The animal welfare officer "was able to approach and apprehend her after a while," says the report, who then turned the dog over to the shelter.

Lord said a shelter board member (whom she did not identify) intends to bring forward a motion on Monday to have the dog destroyed. "Until then, we have no further comment, except to say that this is very upsetting for this person (Reinhelt) and for us," said Lord. "It is under active investigation and a district representative will be contacting the injured person."

Lord emphasized that "the dog is back in our care and there is no risk to public safety - which is of paramount importance."

The report also notes the dog was "probably cut loose by owners for reasons unknown." The un-neutered dog's age and breeder are not known. During its stay at the shelter, the dog was given no medication and did not manifest any medical problems.

Other parts of Jessie's Canine Evaluation report state that "she has a sweet" temperament and a "very affectionate, non-aggressive, tolerant and forgiving personality."

However, the report also states: "Once established in her new home, and once precious bonds have been formed, she may and probably will get protective of her people and environment. Developments in this regard have to be monitored carefully by the guardians. Uninvited strangers entering the property will be scared away at the least."

Jessie remained in the shelter's care until given to Reinhelt's friend who was fostering the dog to see whether or not he wanted to adopt it.

Along with the stitches, administered at Lions Gate Hospital, Reinhelt also had to undergo a tetanus shot, a shot of Demerol, painkillers and, as a consequence, has missed a week's work because she can barely walk.

"I didn't have to have a rabies shot," she said, "because the people at the shelter told me the dog has had all the necessary shots."

Reinhelt said what she knows of the dog's past is sketchy. However, she said she was told that when police found it in Panorama Park "it was showing aggressive behaviour but the shelter says it ran psychiatric tests on it and deeemed it to be adoptable. Obviously, whatever tests they're doing aren't appropriate."

Reinhelt said her friend returned the dog to the shelter after the accident and determined that the shelter is the dog's legal owner.

The friend declined to comment on details of the attack, because Reinhelt is exploring her legal options.