'Exceptionally dangerous' Transcona dog to be euthanized after owner loses appeal

The owner of dog who bit and injured at least two people over the past two years has lost an appeal against a city order to have the animal euthanized.

Transcona resident Derek Forsyth appeared before council's protection, community services and parks committee Monday to appeal a city order to declare his boxer Boss "exceptionally dangerous." 

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​According to the city order, Boss ran into a home in August 2015 and bit a young girl on the face and arm. The girl sustained lacerations, bled severely and was rushed to hospital due to the severity of her injuries.

The complainant in that case said it wasn't the first time they had heard of Boss attacking someone, and they feared the dog would do it again, according to the city order.

On April 29 of this year, Boss attacked another person who ended up in hospital and is still battling a severe infection, according to the city order.

The victim had to wrestle with Boss until someone in the area stepped in to help. The person was sent to hospital with puncture wounds to the hand, buttocks and inner thigh, as well as scratches to the elbow.​

"Derek showed no remorse for either victim, blaming the victims for their actions prior to getting attacked," Winnipeg Animal Services chief operating officer Leland Gordon wrote in the order.

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On Monday, Forsyth asked councillors to rescind the order, stating he has suffered from mental-health issues and cares deeply for the animal.

"Because of this incident I have tried to commit suicide, with an overdose in the hospital, because my dog is like my child," Forsyth said. "I don't know what I'm supposed to say."

Forsyth said many people have come into contact with Boss without incident, and said the victim in the second attack, neighbour Jim Robson, entered his property's yard from the rear entrance.

"If he thinks my dog is dangerous or scary, why come through the back door?" Forsyth asked.

What it did to me gentlemen, it's not a biter. It wants to hurt somebody and kill it.-  Jim Robson, victim

​Robson, who was bitten on April 29, described his injuries at the hands of Boss before the committee. Robson said he used his training as a former police officer to grab the dog's jowls and exert pressure beneath its eyes to ensure it would release its jaws without tearing at his flesh or arteries,

"What it did to me gentlemen, it's not a biter. It wants to hurt somebody and kill it," Robson said.

Animal Services operating officer Gordon told the committee he takes no pleasure in dealing with situations involving euthanasia but said dog owners are always responsible for their animals' actions.

Gordon said Boss was already given a second chance after the dog bit the young girl in 2015. 

Couns. Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas), John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry), Ross Eadie (Mynarski) and Russ Wyatt (Transcona) voted unanimously to deny the appeal.

Wyatt also castigated Gordon for not ordering the boxer killed after the first incident in 2015. The Transcona councillor said the city should consider euthanizing any dog after an incident where it bites and injures someone.

Forsyth stormed out of city hall, muttering expletives about Wyatt.