Dogs that attacked 5-year-old Winnipeg girl ordered destroyed, owner's appeal rejected

A city committee voted unanimously Wednesday to support a decision by Winnipeg's Animal Services Agency decision to euthanize two dogs that attacked a five-year-old girl in the city's North End last month.

Kingsley Heart, along with his mother, Victoria Heart, and spouse, pleaded before the protection, community services and parks committee to reject the decision that found his dogs, Ronnie and Reggie, are "exceptionally dangerous."

All three alleged the girl, who was walking home with her dad from kindergarten, provoked the attack by previously taunting the two dogs.

Gregory Ducharme and daughter Semiah were walking in their back lane on April 23 when Heart's two dogs escaped through an open gate and attacked.

The dogs, which Animal Services said appear to have American pit bull terrier characteristics, left wounds on her chest, underarm, jaw and the top of her head. The attack also nearly ripped her ear off. 

Semiah's injuries required stitches and surgery to reattach her ear.

"This wasn't a nip on the hand. This wasn't a nip on the leg. These dogs went after her head," said Rollins, the committee chair. "That's an exceptional attack."

An 'extremely difficult' situation

In a letter to Heart dated May 2, Leland Gordon, chief operating officer for Animal Services, explained the decision to put the dogs down.

"Mr. Heart, this has been an extremely difficult incident for our team to investigate and address," Gordon says. "It is very clear that you and your family love these dogs."

The two dogs, both 1½ years old, have never received veterinary care, been neutered or received training. Heart lives with his mother, girlfriend, infant child and two others with the dogs in a "low-income scenario," Gordon wrote. 

"It is important you understand that Animal Services is mandated to protect both people and animals in our community. This was an exceptionally brutal and sustained attack resulting in significant injuries of a child," wrote Gordon.

"As a result of representations made to me, it is my finding that the subject dogs Ronnie and Reggie are declared exceptionally dangerous and humanely euthanized."

Before the attack on Semiah, Animal Services had not received a complaint about Heart's dogs. Gordon notes Heart's letter carrier likes the dogs and his baby sleeps with the dogs.

Dog owners ask committee not to euthanize pets

6 years ago

Duration 2:14

A city committee voted unanimously Wednesday to support a decision by Winnipeg's Animal Services Agency to euthanize two dogs that attacked a five-year-old girl in the city's North End last month.