'Dangerous dog' designation stays for Lab that killed shih tzu

A Labrador retriever that killed a shih tzu in August must remain muzzled and leashed away from home for the remainder of its life.

City council's protection, community services and parks committee voted Friday to reject an appeal against a dangerous-dog designation placed on a Labrador retriever named CoCo in August.

The designation came after CoCo attacked and killed a shih tzu-bichon frise mix named Snoopy in Linden Woods in August. After that attack, a neighbour said CoCo had earlier jumped a fence and charged her toddler and then her dog.

"As a result of representations made to me, it is my finding that the subject dog is declared dangerous because the dog is likely to cause significant harm or injury to individuals or animals," Animal chief operating officer of Leland Gordon said in August.

The dog has also prompted complaints to Winnipeg's animal services agency before, neighbours said.

CoCo's owner Kelly Qiang, 22, appeared before the committee in a formal appeal of the decision, which will require her dog to wear a leash and muzzle whenever it's away from their house, a "dangerous dog" sign to be posted at the residence an enclosed dog run at the property where the dog lives.

• Dog that killed shih tzu leaped fence to charge toddler months earlier, neighbour says
• Labrador retriever attacks, kills smaller dog in Linden Woods

Qiang appeared before city council's protection, community services and parks committee Friday morning to say her dog was upset because their former neighbours moved away.

She denied CoCo killed another dog and suggested another animal may have been responsible.

Dog trainer Wayne Bellingham, appearing in support of the appeal, said CoCo has shown a lot of progress.

"He's not aggressive to humans. He's a bit rough playing with other dogs," Bellingham said.

Under questioning from city councillors, Bellingham and fellow trainer Grace MacDonald conceded Qiang does not spend that much time with the dog.

Carolina Fridman and Juan Lempert, who owned Snoopy, told the committee they remain upset by the death of Snoopy and wish CoCo could be removed from their neighbourhood.

"An animal that is capable to kill another animal of its kind can kill anyone," said Fridman, who fought back tears as she spoke.

Animal Services chief operating officer Gordon said his agency conducted an investigation and concluded CoCo is dangerous. He said he was surprised Qiang appealed the dangerous-dog designation, which allows her to keep her animal.

In some cities, a dog who kills another dog would be destroyed, he noted.

During the appeal hearing, Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt expressed frustration that the committee does not have the power to order Animal Services to euthanize CoCo.

"I don't give a damn if the dog or a cat gets out and kills a bird. I care about human beings," said Wyatt, expressing frustration that dogs appear to have more rights than people.

Committee chair Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas) ruled Wyatt out of order three times for interrupting Gordon.