'Boss' dog that attacked 2 people not 'exceptionally dangerous,' owner argues

The owner of a dog that sent a young girl to hospital and attacked another person is fighting the city's decision to declare his pet "exceptionally dangerous" and have it put down.

Two complaints have been filed against Derek Forsyth's dog, Boss, in the past two years. The city's standing policy committee on protection, community services and parks will decide next week whether to uphold a previous ruling to declare Boss unsafe for the public.

On Aug. 30, 2015, Boss ran into a home and bit a young girl on the face and arm. The girl sustained lacerations, bled severely and was rushed to hospital due to the severity of her injuries, according to the city.

It is my finding that the subject dog is declared exceptionally dangerous and humanely euthanized.- Leland Gordon, Animal Services

The complainant in that case said it wasn't the first time they had heard of Boss attacking someone and they feared the dog would do it again.

And on April 29 of this year, Boss attacked another person who ended up hospitalized and is still battling a severe infection, according to the city.

The victim had to wrestle with Boss until someone in the area stepped in to help. The person was sent to hospital with puncture wounds to the hand, buttocks and inner thigh, as well as scratches to the elbow.

'Role model' dog

At a meeting with Winnipeg Animal Services Agency officials on May 4, Forsyth described Boss as a "role model" dog that isn't aggressive and can be safely let off leash "anytime."

The agency ruled in May that Boss be declared exceptionally dangerous under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw.

"Derek showed no remorse for either victim, blaming the victims for their actions prior to getting attacked," Leland Gordon, chief operating officer with Animal Services Agency, wrote in a summary of that meeting.

"As a result of representations made to me, including multiple attacks with serious injuries, it is my finding that the subject dog is declared exceptionally dangerous and [should be] humanely euthanized."

In Forsyth's appeal of the decision, he wrote Boss "is not a dangerous dog."

"At this hearing I will bring as many [neighbours] that can make it and also family and friends," Forsyth's letter of appeal reads.

The standing policy committee on protection, community services and parks will be present at an appeal hearing on Monday.