Kimberly Ghaney’s day is marked by the loud barking of two unruly dogs. This is the same sound she heard as her beloved dog, Mickey, passed away in her arms following a vicious attack. The incident occurred on a Thursday morning when two large black dogs assaulted her Havanese in her backyard. Ghaney expressed her devastation at losing Mickey in such a tragic and violent manner due to what she perceives as irresponsible pet ownership and a lack of enforcement of local regulations.
According to Ghaney, had the other dogs been properly restrained, Mickey would still be alive. She attributes her nine-year-old pet’s death to the negligence of the dogs’ owner and the failure to adhere to the town’s rules. Ghaney mentioned that her property lacks a fence, but Mickey was on a leash at the time of the attack. In contrast, the black dogs were not restrained, allowing them to wander onto her property.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Holyrood issued four tickets to the owner of the black dogs under the Newfoundland and Labrador Animal Health and Protection Act. The penalties for failing to secure the animals and allowing them to cause harm will be determined by the court, with fines ranging from $300 for a first offence to $1,500 for subsequent infractions. The police are currently investigating the incident.
Ghaney believes that issuing tickets alone is insufficient, as she claims that the dogs and their owner have been causing disturbances in the neighborhood for some time. She stated that this tragic event was not the first time she had encountered the dogs on her property, emphasizing that they are known to roam freely without restraint.
Neighbours, including Ghaney and others, have repeatedly advised the owner to leash his dogs since he moved to the area three years ago, but their warnings have been disregarded. The lack of concern from the owner regarding the dogs’ behavior has heightened tensions in the community. Despite attempts to contact the owner for an interview, he declined to respond to CBC News.
Kate Phillips, a local resident, shared her concerns about the safety of walking her dog due to the presence of the unrestrained dogs in the neighborhood. She altered her walking route to avoid the area where the attacking dogs reside, indicating a fear of a similar incident occurring unless action is taken promptly.
The Town of Holyrood enforces strict animal control regulations that mandate all dogs to be properly tethered or leashed at all times, prohibiting them from roaming freely. Ghaney, a former town councilor, acknowledged these regulations but raised concerns about their enforcement. Holyrood Mayor Laura Crawley explained the challenges the town faces in dealing with aggressive animals due to the absence of a municipal enforcement officer since 2021.
Crawley assured residents that the town is exploring solutions to address the enforcement gap by collaborating with neighboring municipalities. The council is in the process of formalizing animal control regulations into bylaws. In the interim, residents are encouraged to report any incidents to the police. Ghaney, awaiting the outcome of the legal process, is considering civil options with legal support.
As Ghaney mourns the loss of Mickey and demands accountability, she stresses the need for change to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The ongoing investigation and legal proceedings may take several months, leaving Ghaney grappling with memories of Mickey and the distressing events that unfolded.
