N.S. municipality to review its dog bylaw following death of 13-year-old boy

SHELBURNE — A southwestern Nova Scotia municipality says it will review its dog control bylaw after the death of a 13-year-old boy who was attacked by three dogs.

Drew Nickerson was attacked by a Rottweiler and two cane corsos as he rode his bicycle by a property in the community of Welshtown, N.S., Jan. 3, and he died two days later in a Halifax hospital.

The Municipality of Shelburne says it’s launching the review of its bylaw in response to the concerns about the incident raised by residents.

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The existing dog control bylaw includes a section that requires owners to take precautions if their dogs are considered to be fierce and dangerous.

It also allows the city to order an owner to surrender a dog or have it euthanized.

The city says it is awaiting the findings of an RCMP investigation to ensure any changes to the law will be based on a full and accurate understanding of the incident.

The three dogs involved in the incident have already been euthanized.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2026.

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