Pit bull cross that mauled man, killed cat must be euthanized, B.C. court rules

A pit bull mastiff cross is seen in this (Image credit: Shutterstock)

A dog with a history of attacking animals and people – leaving one cat dead and one man with life-altering injuries – must be euthanized, a B.C. court has ruled.

The case decision involving a pit bull mastiff cross named Buddy was handed down in provincial court in Abbotsford last month and published online this week.

The animal control officer for the Fraser Valley Regional District was seeking an order that the dog be declared dangerous, and "destroyed." Judge Danielle Dunn wrote in the ruling, noting that the criteria for such a declaration was whether there were "reasonable grounds to believe that Buddy is likely to kill or seriously injure a person."

The evidence the court considered included reports made to the animal control officer dating back to 2019. That year, Buddy was reported to have been "at large" in the community, and had to be seized and returned to his owner, Tanya Badke.

In February of 2020, when Buddy – who was off leash – was "aggressive with a family, ripping their clothes with his jaws and knocking one of the family members over, causing some bruising," the decision said.

Two years later, the pit bull cross attacked a dog and caused injuries serious enough to require surgery. A month after that, Buddy attacked the same dog a second time causing "visible but less serious injuries," Dunn wrote.

In April of 2022 – after an attack on another dog – Buddy was officially declared "aggressive" which the decision explains meant he had to be microchipped, muzzled in public, and confined to an enclosure.

The dog's owner did none of those things, according to the evidence of the animal control officer.

The fatal attack on a cat happened in July of 2022, the court heard.

"Like all the other incidents, this occurred while Buddy was loose," the decision said.

Six months later, the dog attacked a man at a motel in Mission.

"He was bitten and was bloody in the face and groin," the judge wrote.

The final and most "egregious" attack happened in November of 2023, according to the decision.

When the victim entered a home to help a friend move a couch, he was attacked by Buddy. His arm was ripped open, requiring extensive stapling to close the injury and surgery. This occurred in the presence of the owner, Ms. Badke. The person also suffered a bite to his other arm, " Dunn wrote, adding that Dunn agreed with the characterization of the injuries as "life-altering."

The judge also considered evidence from an expert who said Buddy's size, his aggression and his owner's inability or unwillingness to control him supported the dangerous dog designation.

Dunn agreed, ordering the dog to be "humanely euthanized." Buddy's owner did not participate in the proceedings.