Pit bull that killed 86-year-old Calgary woman to be euthanized, owner pleads guilty
Denis Bagaric pleaded guilty to City of Calgary bylaw offences
The owner of three pit bulls involved in a fatal attack on a 86-year-old woman pleaded guilty Wednesday and agreed to have one of the dogs euthanized.
Denis Bagaric pleaded guilty to having animals running at large and animals attacking a person causing severe injury, both offences under City of Calgary bylaws.
Although an agreed statement of facts was filed as part of the plea, Bagaric only admitted that one of the three dogs was involved in the fatal attack on Betty Ann Williams, 86.
On June 5, 2022, his American Staffordshire dogs Bossii, Cinnamon and Smoki escaped his fenced backyard in the northwest community of Capitol Hill, according to the agreed statement of facts.
The dogs got into the alley where Williams was gardening.
According to Bagaric, only Smoki was involved in the attack on Williams, who died from her injuries.
On Wednesday, Bagaric agreed to having Smoki euthanized. The city has applied to have the other two dogs put down as well.
But there is no agreement between the prosecution and defence as to the involvement of Cinnamon and Bossii in the fatal attack.
A Gardiner hearing — when evidence is called during sentencing to determine some of the facts — took place following the plea Wednesday.
Justice Gord Wong, who hasn't yet made findings related to Cinnamon and Bossi's involvement, heard testimony from a neighbour who saw all three dogs in the alley and near Williams.
Originally, both Bagaric and his partner, Talyn Calkins, each faced a dozen bylaw charges.
But as part of the plea, all charges were withdrawn against Calkins, with Bagaric pleading guilty to two of the 12 offences.
Prosecutor Ben Leung and defence lawyer Rabi Ahmed agreed Bagaric should pay a fine of $15,000.
But Leung also asked the judge to impose a 15-year pet ownership prohibition, while Ahmed argued his client should be allowed to have dogs again.
The sentencing hearing was adjourned so written submissions can be filed on that point.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
