File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Pit Bull Attack

City of Kamloops files court application to have three dangerous pit bulls euthanized

Oct 3, 2024 | 9:57 AM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops has filed an application to humanely euthanize three pit bulls that killed a collie on the North Shore last month.

Following an investigation under the Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw, the City believes the three pit bulls cannot be safely rehabilitated, nor can safety measures be imposed to prevent future injuries to animals and residents. The City adds a veterinarian and an animal behaviour specialist assessed the dogs as part of the investigation.

“The safety and well-being of our community and their pets remains a key priority,” the City states in a news release issued Thursday (Oct. 3) morning. “We understand the gravity of this event and the distress it has caused both the owners and the broader community. We sincerely appreciate the community’s understanding and patience as we continue to navigate this difficult situation with the parties involved.”

The City says a Provincial Court application was filed pursuant to section 49(10) of the Community Charter, SBC 2003, C. 26.

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The pit bulls have been in the City’s Community Services’ custody since Sept. 8 when they jumped a fence at the 600-block of Richmond Avenue and killed a 12-year-old collie.

“We have 21 days to apply to the courts to have a ruling or an order issued to have the dog, if deemed dangerous, humanely euthanized. That is kind of where we are at today, through vet reports, animal behavioral specialist reports, as well as supporting documentation and evidence from the deceased dog owner as well as members of the community, the decision has been made, and the dogs in my eyes have been deemed dangerous, and I have since proceeded with a court application to have the dogs humanely euthanized,” Beatty told CFJC News.

While the cost of the investigation will be born by the city of Kamloops, protective services has not yet ruled on potential fines for the owner. The city has six months post incident to issue a fine.

“There are fines associated to dogs at large, and through our dog responsibility bylaw,” added Beatty. “We can issue up to a $10,000 fine per dog at large in an instance like this. And when we see situations like this that are very serious and the totality of the circumstances are very high because of a death of another dog, we take that very serious and into consideration when assigning fine to this.”