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Town continuing to investigate dog attack

Town officials are investigating after four dogs got out of an Olds resident's yard and killed a dog in a fenced yard several blocks away, in Imperial Estates. Olds RCMP received the call at about 7 p.m. Aug. 3.
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Town officials are investigating after four dogs got out of an Olds resident’s yard and killed a dog in a fenced yard several blocks away, in Imperial Estates on Aug. 3.

Town officials are investigating after four dogs got out of an Olds resident's yard and killed a dog in a fenced yard several blocks away, in Imperial Estates.

Olds RCMP received the call at about 7 p.m. Aug. 3.

On Facebook, Rhonda Dodd, owner of the deceased dog, Jake, said three of the escaped dogs attacked while the fourth watched, but that could not be confirmed.

Reportedly, the dogs escaped their yard through a gate left open.

"A female friend of the owner of the three at-large dogs arrived on scene to get control of the dogs and the owner arrived on scene immediately thereafter and took responsibility," Monica Leatherdale, the town’s communications coordinator, said in a statement.

"The RCMP attended, the officer assessed the animals were no longer an active threat, and released the dogs in the care of the owner."

She described the incident as "non-criminal in nature" and noted RCMP transferred the matter to the town's municipal enforcement officer on Aug. 6.

"This is an active file the Town of Olds is working on and will continue to expand our investigation as evidence supports taking firm action to address the matter," Leatherdale's statement said.

On Facebook, Dodd said the owner of the four dogs, Lindsay Walsh who runs a dog breeding business called Alberta XL Bullies, "had no control over all four of his dogs, and his girlfriend was attacked & received

hospital care."

Walsh disputes that account. He says he got to the dogs extremely quickly.

"Please be advised these dogs are in Olds," she wrote. "This is a public safety issue. This could only have been worse if a child was involved."

The dogs have been described as "pit bulls," but Walsh disputes that description. During an interview with the Albertan, he said they're bullies, a different breed than pit bulls.

According to Wikipedia, "the American bully was produced using a foundation of American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers bred to several bulldog-type breeds."

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, a petition was started on Change.org to get Walsh's dog breeding business shut down. As of Thursday, Aug. 8, it had garnered 226 signatures, out of a goal of 500.

"Put an end to the back yard 'Alberta XL Bullies' Home Breeding," the site said. "These dogs are dangerous and should not be in our neighbourhood or town. Please sign our petition to get justice for those that have been affected by these dogs."

Clarence W. Lachman lives next door to Walsh on 54th Avenue and says on April 10, 2018, he was bitten in the back of the right knee by one of Walsh's dogs, which he described as aggressive.

He said although it left a mark, the bite did not draw blood, but it upset him nonetheless.

Lachman filed a complaint with the town but says it didn't seem to go anywhere.

He says that dog has continually been aggressive.

After the biting incident, Walsh replaced his former chain-link fence with a taller wooden one, but Lachman doesn't believe that's enough, because he says the dogs have still gotten out on occasion.

So he has signed the Change.org petition.

Walsh told the Albertan that as a result of the Aug. 3 incident, he and his girlfriend intend to have one of the four dogs involved — Samson — euthanized because it bit her as she tried to separate the dogs during the attack. She was taken to hospital, but Walsh says she only suffered minor injuries.

Walsh stressed he and his girlfriend are very sorry for the attack and loss of Jake.

In a statement sent to the Albertan Walsh wrote in part, "I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Dodd family for the tragic loss of their beloved family dog, Jake. "

"While I can't take back what happened, I would like to confirm that arrangements have been made to euthanize my family dog, Samson to ensure that this never happens again.

"It breaks my heart but I know that it is the right thing to do, given the circumstances. The time that I have had the pleasure of knowing Samson will always be special to me, and I truly understand the hurt that the Dodd family is experiencing.

"This is a very sad time for both of the families involved and I am hopeful that at some point I can earn forgiveness for the actions of Samson.

"Please know that I am very sorry for what has happened and I hope that with time, the hearts of the people involved can heal.  Rest beautifully in peace, Jake."

Although it's been said the four dogs got out through an open gate, Walsh said he's still unsure exactly what happened.

He said he has not met or telephoned the family directly.

"I have not," he said. "I don't think that they are interested in having anything to do with me and the investigation is still ongoing, so there's a protocol and a way of doing things properly and me contacting the dog (owner) directly right now is not the right thing to do, as far as I'm led to understand."

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