A pit bull involved in the backyard killing of a collie in Kamloops, B.C., must be euthanized, a provincial judge ordered on May 5.
On Sept. 8, 2024, Kamloops animal control received reports of three pit bull-type dogs jumping the fence of a neighbour’s backyard and killing the family’s collie, Heidi.
The three dogs, named Snoopy, Bella, and Ferb, were taken into custody by animal control officers that morning, said Judge R.C. Dickey in his ruling.
The city of Kamloops applied to have Ferb found a dangerous dog and euthanized, as the city believed there was evidence to show that Ferb participated in the killing of Heidi, the order reads.
The other two dogs had already been euthanized after the incident.
Snoopy was put down for medical reasons, while Bella was determined to be a dangerous dog, which the owner of the pit bulls, Ashley Ellenor, did not disagree with. Judge Dickey has now determined that Ferb does fit the definition of a dangerous dog and should be humanely euthanized.
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Ellenor argued that the court did not have enough evidence to prove that Ferb participated in Heidi’s killing and that he was a playful and fun dog who was never aggressive, Dickey said in his ruling.
Heidi’s owner, Tracy Olson, told the court that on the morning of the fatal attack she heard a noise outside and saw the three pit bulls in her backyard circling Heidi, who was lying on the ground.
Heidi was examined by a B.C. veterinarian who reported to the court that the collie had many severe puncture wounds on her face, ears, chest, and neck, and she believed the dog died from blood loss or deprivation of oxygen resulting from the injuries, Dickey said.
The veterinarian reported that all three dogs smelled of blood, and that Ferb required sedation to be examined as he was very fearful and could not be handled on a leash.
An animal control officer at the Kamloops kennel where the dogs stayed following the incident told the court that Ferb was the least predictable and most reactive of the three dogs, Dickey added.
Lisa Davies, a canine behaviour, training, and rehabilitation expert, was called by the city of Kamloops to assess whether the three dogs were aggressive or dangerous, and if there was a risk of the dogs seriously injuring or killing in the future.
Davies told the court that the attack on the collie was the most vicious and extreme she had seen in more than 20 years working in the Kamloops area. Ferb showed extensive fear and aggression, and a pack mentality was likely at play in the attack, she said.
“It would be very rare for three dogs to be circling a dog and having one of them not participate,” Davies said. “If a dog wasn’t gonna participate, they would be somewhere else and they’re not gonna come back and start circling a dog that was just attacked.”
After considering the evidence, Dickey has found that Ferb participated in the attack that resulted in Heidi’s death, and therefore is defined as a dangerous dog.
“I order that Ferb be euthanized and that such euthanasia be carried out by a qualified veterinarian no sooner than 31 days from the date of this Order,” Dickey said.
The City of Kamloops extended their condolences to the Olson family, who lost Heidi, in a statement on Sept. 9, 2024.
“This incident is a somber reminder of the profound impact such situations can have on families and their cherished pets,” the city said.
