A Victoria dog owner is mourning the loss of his constant companion after his beloved pet was killed by another dog on a popular trail.
Paul Johnston and his three-year-old Maltese-poodle Cooper were hiking on Mount Finlayson in Goldstream Park Saturday when he says his dog was viciously attacked by an off-leash white pit-bull mix.
Johnston suffered a cut to his finger when he jumped in to rip the big dog off. When the altercation was done the other dog and his owner were gone and Cooper was left clinging to life. Cooper underwent emergency surgery, but died the next morning from a blood clot while in vet care.
”It feels like I got punched in the stomach,” Johnston said. “Cooper wouldn’t hurt a fly. He was a small dog with a big heart. Coop deserves justice.”
Johnston wants to see the other dog put down, and he’s trying to spread the word about the attack.
Bylaw officers in the area report an overall spike in dog attacks over the long weekend, but attribute it to the fact more people were out walking their dogs in the hot weather.
The head of the Victoria Humane Society calls the attack on Cooper horrific, but says there are no bad dogs – just bad owners.
“Dog are what you make of them, and unfortunately this dog wasn’t under control, probably has no socialization, no proper training,” said Penny Stone.
Johnston posted his story on social media and says he’s received five reports from strangers of similar attacks by a similar pitbull cross.
CRD bylaw is asking anyone with information about the attack on Cooper or any other dog attack to contact its officers.
The dog owner is described a white man in his 30s or 40s, about 5’8 tall and tattoos on his upper body.
Meanwhile, Johnston says he can’t even imagine getting another dog to replace his best buddy.
“He’s the best dog that someone could have,” he said. “He was my best friend.”
With files from CTV Vancouver Island
