Dog owner warning others of Rottweiler attack at Kenny's Pond

A family in the east end of St. John's says their dog was attacked by a Rottweiler while out for a walk on the Kenny's Pond trail — and they want other owners to know about it. 

Scott Betts said he was walking his dog Lucy Thursday morning when an unprovoked attack caught him and another dog walker totally off guard. 

• St. John's city councillor wants staff to look at certain dog breeds

"As we came up we saw a lady pushing a stroller with a child in it, and a golden Labrador on one side and a Rottweiler on the other side," he said.

This can happen again, real easy.- Scott Betts

Betts said the Rottweiler lurched at Lucy — a much smaller, 40-pound dog — and latched onto her back, knocking over the woman, and her stroller, in the process. 

"It was a battle," he recalled. 

"I don't know what was going on outside the battle, I was engaged in the battle. And when the dog let go, my dog submitted right away."

Told no crime was committed

Betts said he rushed Lucy to the vet where she was sedated and treated for a gash. In the days since, he says Lucy has been fearful, a big change from her previous demeanour. 

He doesn't believe the woman walking the dog was the animal's owner.

"I'd like to be able to talk to [the owners] to explain to them exactly what happened because this can happen again, real easy," he said. 

"And maybe the dog's a good dog under their owner, but if someone else is going to walk that dog … this wasn't provoked at all. It just happened [and] it could happen again."

Betts said he thinks there should be a record of the attack but, when he contacted police, was told that no crime was committed because both animals were on a leash.

However, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said charges could be laid and officers are looking to speak to the dog's owner.

Watch Scott Betts' interview in the video player above.