The owner of a dog that attacked a three-year-old boy in Chilliwack, B.C. on Monday is calling the incident an unanticipated accident.
Kelly Thorburn says there was horseplay in the house just before Austin Demeter was attacked by the Neapolitan Mastiff.
She said the dog may have perceived that behavior as threatening and reacted by biting her nephew.
She says there are no words to describe how badly she feels.
Needing almost 100 stitches the boy will be in hospital for at least another night as he recovers from an attack.
But as he begins to heal, Chilliwack Animal Control says it is investigating to determine if the dog should be deemed aggressive or dangerous.
"I have been advised by the owner of the dog that there is a co-owner and that she has turned the dog over to the co-owner in Washington state,'' said Lisa Thompson, a manager at Chilliwack Animal Control.
Animal Control says the owner is co-operating and that the dog will undergo an assessment.
But Austin's grandmother doubts it will ever happen.
"I just don't know why it couldn't have been done here to start with,'' said Christine Demeter. "Why wasn't the dog just taken?"
Meanwhile, Austin's mother says the attack was completely unprovoked.
"Out of nowhere, the dog just lunged and grabbed my son by the head and tossed him to the ground,'' said Kim Demeter.
She wants the dog destroyed. RCMP says no charges will be laid because there was no criminal intent.
As for Austin, he is doing well despite needing so many stitches.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Michele Brunoro
