Montreal woman seriously injured in dog attack prompts renewed calls for tougher laws

There are renewed calls for tougher rules to prevent dog attacks after a Montreal woman was seriously injured in Saint-Léonard.

There are renewed calls for tougher rules to prevent dog attacks after a Montreal woman was seriously injured when three dogs attacked her in Saint-Léonard on Wednesday.

Two of the dogs were shot and killed by police at the scene. The third has been seized and is now being held at the Proanima animal shelter on Montreal’s South Shore.

“We are analyzing or treating the cases… but yes, we have picked up the dog,” said Vincent Paradis of Proanima.

The 45-year-old victim remains in hospital with serious injuries.

The incident has revived painful memories for Dominique Alain, who survived a similar attack by three dogs in Potton, Que., in 2019.

“I feel so bad for the victim, and my heart is with her,” Alain said. “I live now with still physical pain.”

Alain said the owner of the dogs involved in her attack served time in prison, but believes stronger legislation is still needed to protect the public.

Montreal’s SPCA agrees. The organization says prevention is key and is urging all levels of government to strengthen regulations around dog breeding and sales and to ensure owners follow existing laws.

According to the City of Montreal’s website, there are slightly more than 100 dogs registered as potentially dangerous. Once a dog is on that list, the owner must obtain a special permit, and the animal must be muzzled when outside.

City officials told CTV News the dogs involved in Wednesday’s attack were not on the dangerous dogs registry, and no special permits had been issued for them.

Veterinarian Vincent Paradis said several factors can contribute to violent behaviour in dogs, including how they are raised and trained.

“It’s more about the socializing and how they are reproduced and how they are trained or educated. This is the main part that usually brings an animal to bite or not,” he said.

Police are still investigating and say it’s too soon to determine whether the owner could face charges. The surviving dog will remain at the Proanima shelter until officials decide what happens next.