Shirley Jennings and her dog Heidi are enjoying the warm spring weather strolling on the Meewasin Trail. But just a few weeks ago, Jennings had another sheltie pup, Chelsea. Now, she's mourning the loss of her beloved pet and she's out thousands of dollars in vet bills.
Jennings and her two dogs were walking along the trail on March 18, when she says two young women with two Siberian huskies, on leashes, came walking the other way.
"My thought was how beautiful these dogs were, and how they were well groomed, and I'd never seen a husky that colour." But things quickly got out of hand, and Jennings says a male husky turned aggressive.
"The male dog must have grabbed Chelsea on the back and flipped her over because it happened so fast."
The small sheltie was mauled by the huskie, and was injured badly. Jennings took Chelsea to the vet, but she died Tuesday afternoon. Now, she owes a vet bill of almost $9000.
Shelley Sutherland, with the city, says dog owners can face large fines if their aggressive pets injure or kill other animals or people. "Owners are responsible for their pets. That is the biggest message here."
But in this case, Shirley Jennings can't make a complaint because she doesn't know the identity of the two girls who had the huskies. She believes they were in their late teens.
"I really think it should be put down, or at least investigated. These owners should be made aware how to walk this dog if it's this dangerous," says Jennings.
Meanwhile, she says she's thinking about getting another dog to replace Chelsea, but it's still too soon.
