Pit bull cross that mauled man, killed cat must be euthanized, B.C. court rules
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Gun seized from man at festival in Hamilton, preventing 'tragedy': police
Hamilton police say officers arrested a 23-year-old man who allegedly brought a handgun at a festival in Hamilton where many gathered, including children, Saturday night, preventing a 'tragedy.'
'This is our livelihood': Commercial dog walkers banned from Toronto park
A group of commercial dog walkers are voicing their frustration with a new policy that bans them from operating at a downtown Toronto dog park, saying their livelihoods are at stake.
Downpour in Jasper National Park slows fires, but comes with warning
Parks Canada says a weekend drenching of rain on parts of Jasper National Park is doing a lot to quell fire activity, but the wet weather also comes with a warning.
Feds seek to convert dozens of government properties for affordable housing
The federal government has added 56 properties to a new public lands bank of locations that are suitable for long-term leases so developers can build housing, a move the Housing Minister says will help boost the supply of homes Canadians can afford.
Trump would veto legislation establishing a federal abortion ban, Vance says
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance says Donald Trump would not support a national abortion ban if elected president and would veto such legislation if it landed on his desk.
What the two Boeing Starliner astronauts will do in space until 2025
When astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore left Earth for International Space Station nearly three months ago, they ditched their bags for a key piece of equipment. Helming the inaugural crewed flight test of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, they departed without their own toiletries and other personal comforts — expecting to return to Earth within a week or so.
Security robots are starting to join the ranks of human guards. Here's what we know
From New York to Hawaii, people can spot security robots equipped with a suite of sensors patrolling the perimeters of some residential communities and apartment buildings.
OPINION The dark side of frugality: When saving becomes an obsession
Is being frugal pushing you over the edge? Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains some of the downsides of obsessive frugality and offers some tips on how to balance frugal living with living your daily life.
What a Kamala Harris presidency means for Canada
They say a week is a lifetime in politics, but wow — what a month. Leaving the RNC in Milwaukee just weeks ago, it felt like the U.S. election was Donald Trump's to lose. After the last four days in Chicago, I don’t think anyone can say what will happen with any certainty.