File # 09-40240
2009-12-23 14:09 PST

As a follow up to yesterday's media coverage of the Pit Bull attack on a police service dog, it is important that a number of facts be made clear.

On December 22, 2009, the Lower Mainland District Police Dog Service was engaged in a training exercise in the 46000 block of Fifth Avenue in Chilliwack. During this exercise, two uniformed police officers, one RCMP officer and one Abbotsford PD officer with a police service dog traveled through the yard of a private residential property.

While tracking through the property, a Pit Bull from a neighboring property attacked the police service dog. The police service dog was on a leash and under control of a police officer. The Pit Bull ran out from its yard to the adjacent property and grabbed the police service dog by the throat. Attempts were made by the two police officers to pry the Pit Bull's jaws from the neck of the police dog without success. The police service dog was in danger of losing its life and as a result, the Pit Bull was shot once by police.

Dog owners must ensure that their dogs are not running loose and must have their dogs under control at all times. While this was a training exercise yesterday, this attack could just as easily have occurred if the police dog was in pursuit of a suspect who had just committed a crime. Equally, it could have occurred to a private citizen's dog being walked.

Furthermore, the Lower Mainland Police Dog Service urban training exercises have been suspended in order that a complete review can take place of all training protocols. A review of the Use of Force options used in this case will take place as well.

The RCMP deeply regrets that this incident occurred.
 

Email: bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca