Warning. The following story includes a description and video of a violent dog attack that may be triggering for some readers.
At least three dog attacks in the past three months have Cambridge residents calling for changes to the city's animal control bylaw, citing a lack of enforcement and penalties for the owners of dogs who attack.
On July 30, Sara Clark was out walking her dog on Industrial Road when she and her dog were brutally attacked by two other dogs that had escaped an enclosed area.
"I was on the opposite side of the road and the dogs came running full speed at us in a full, unprovoked attack. At one point the presa dog only stopped because it almost got hit by a transport truck as it barrelled towards me and my dog," said Clark.
Two large dogs, one believed to be a pitbull and the other a presa canario, escaped from a workshop on Industrial Road and zeroed in on Clark and her rottweiler, leaving her dog with over 25 wounds.
The owner of the facility was not available to comment on the situation, but other media reports said the dogs escaped from a fenced yard after a worker at the facility left the gate open.
Clark confirmed the owner of the dogs agreed to pay for any vet bills associated with the attack and has been compliant with animal control.
A surveillance video and dashcam footage provided to CambridgeToday shows the moments the dogs started attacking Clark during her morning walk.
She said she was helped by two drivers who heard her desperate screams for help and pulled over to remove the dogs from Clark and her animal.
"My dog sustained substantial damage to his head, face, jaw, neck and in his ear canal," said Clark. "He was immediately taken to the vet and knocked out to address the wounds. He was on heavy antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. He was battered and bruised."
Clark was also bitten In the hand and sustained a large scratch and bruising. However, her dog was the main target of the attack. She is still finding wounds several weeks later.
After the attack, Clark filed a formal complaint with Cambridge Animal Services and found out that there is not currently a bylaw that penalizes dog owners if their pets attack another dog or worse, a person.
"I am disgusted that this city doesn’t have an appropriate fine to empower these officers to lay in such cases. They can lay dog barking and defecation fines but not bites to dog or human," Clark said.
Cambridge has no provisions to fine animal owners or hold them responsible if their animal bites or kills another dog or person, but a person can be given a $240 fine for their dog being off-leash.
Cambridge bylaw NO. 172-13 states that a dog can be designated dangerous, potentially dangerous or restricted.
With these designations come various requirements that an animal owner has to take such as: muzzling in public, short leashes and posting “dangerous dog” signs at their home and businesses, crating the dog when in the presence of customers, obtaining at least $1 million in liability insurance, and ensuring it is licensed, spayed, microchipped and inoculated for rabies.
Cambridge Animal Control did not respond to requests for comment on whether the dog in the July 30 attack has been designated dangerous.
In its response to the question, the City of Cambridge noted that all of their bylaws, including animal-related ones are in the process of being reassessed.
"A review of by-law penalties will include a scan of other municipalities, however, it is important to understand that penalty amounts may differ from community to community based on a number of factors that are affecting those specific communities," said Alana Russell, communications manager for the City of Cambridge in an email to CambridgeToday.
"Periodically city by-laws are reviewed to ensure a safe and orderly community for all who live, work and play in Cambridge and to ensure that Cambridge continues to be a safe, inclusive and enjoyable community for all."
Russell also noted that the Cambridge & District Humane Society is under contract from the City of Cambridge to provide animal-related expertise and is responsible for the enforcement of the city’s animal control bylaw, dog by-law and enforcement of the Dog Owners' Liability Act (DOLA).
Clark worries that Animal Control not only lacks the authority to levy fines against residents with aggressive dogs, but is also failing to enforce bylaws to keep these attacks from happening.
"There is no way I should have to live in fear of yet another attack," said Clark. "I do not feel confident that the owner will ensure that this won’t happen again as too many people have access to these dogs as it is a place of business."
Two other recent dog attacks near Pollack Avenue, have residents there afraid to walk sidewalks in the area.
In these attacks, one dog died and another person was sent to the hospital with injuries sustained from the dog.
Notices warning residents of an aggressive dog that constantly escapes have been posted on street lights in the neighbourhood.
Zackary Troop lives in the area and said he has repeatedly reached out to animal control with hopes of some answers, but he has so far been denied an opportunity to speak with someone.
"Our neighborhood has repeatedly reached out to animal control, but we’re often directed to voicemail. The police say it’s out of their hands since it's an animal control issue, and the city claims they’re investigating," Troop said in an email to CambridgeToday.
He noted that the owner of the dog has taken down some of the notices, but residents are ready to put them back up to warn others.
Troop reports that as early as last week, the dog was seen again out of its enclosure and roaming the streets alone.
"Fortunately, a neighbour managed to leash the animal before the owner came to retrieve it. The police have advised us to call 911 if the dog is seen loose again and to take video footage if possible, as it could serve as evidence if an attack occurs," he said.
"If anyone is attacked, it would likely result in a civil suit against the city."
Bylaw manager for the City of Cambridge, John Mattocks declined requests for an interview on the subject.
Both Troop and Clark worry as the locations where these isolated incidents happened are near schools and are frequently walked by children and seniors.
"Public safety has not been a concern or a priority and they (the city) have the ability to designate these dogs and also apply fines under the Dog Owners' Liability Act as one dog is a restricted breed (pitbull) in Ontario," said Clark.
These residents are hoping that someone doesn't have to get seriously injured or worse for the city or animal control to step in.
"It’s truly shocking that an animal responsible for mauling a dog to death and sending a person to the hospital is still allowed to roam freely on the streets," added Troop.
