L'ASSOMPTION, QUEBEC - The owners of a dog which savagely attacked a five-year-old girl Monday apparently ignored an order to increase the size of their fence, L’Assomption police said Tuesday.
Police said that the 160 lb (72 kg) bull mastiff was able to get over a fence that was meant to keep it away from others.
“For now all we can see is that the dog jumped over the fence and went straight to the girl,” said Olivier Roy of the L'Assomption police force.
Police were unable to fell the dog with gunfire but eventually managed to corral the beast after it retreated beneath a balcony.
The dog was checked for disease and euthanized.
The tiny young victim remains in hospital and there is no timeline on her recovery.
One of the dog’s owners also suffered serious leg injuries in the attack, after she attempted to pry the dog off the child.
The dog had long terrified neighbours who were helpless to cope with the potentially lethal situation posed by the dog.
However one dog expert said that large, powerful dogs shouldn’t always be considered dangerous.
“There's more and more research out there now that says that there isn't such a thing as a dangerous breed. We need to be looking at dogs as individuals,” said veterinarian Enid Stiles.
UPDATE Thursday May 23: The hospital says the girl's condition has stabilized and she is not in danger of dying. However she remains in hospital and the full extent of her injuries is not being disclosed. Her family does not wish to talk about the situation.
