Ottawa police ask for public's help after dogs go on 'rampage' in Orléans
2 large dogs put down in 2 different locations after they left scene of attack
Ottawa police are asking for the public's help to identify the owner of two dogs that were shot and killed by officers in Orléans Saturday morning after they attacked a 25-year-old woman.
Police said the woman — who is not from Ottawa — was still in hospital Monday morning after undergoing surgery Sunday night.
Paramedics said she had severe lacerations to both upper arms, and lacerations on her head, face, back and buttocks.
On Monday, police said investigators are still working to identify the breed of the dogs and who owns them.
"These dogs were on a rampage," said Ottawa Police Service spokesman Const. Marc Soucy.
"We're trying to find out if there are more victims…if you've been a victim of these dogs, please let us know, no matter what [the] nature [of] the bite was, whether it was severe or not. If you were attacked by those dogs, we need to know about it."
The two dogs were shot and killed by police Saturday after they attacked the woman and a 66-year-old man who was trying to help her.
Ottawa paramedics said the man suffered lacerations on his left knee, but was in stable condition.
Police said they were called to the area bordered by 10th Line Road, Tompkins Avenue, Des Epinettes Avenue and Duford Road late Saturday morning where the two large dogs were reportedly loose.
Witnesses used shovels, sticks to pry victims free
"The dogs were going in, they were biting, they were shaking the person. The person on the ground was very bloodied…[The dogs] were just relentless," said witness Steve Outhouse.
"It was very scary. This isn't an individual that you can try and rationalize with. I mean, these dogs were just going at this individual."
Steve Outhouse saw two dogs attack someone at the end of his Orléans street. <a href="https://t.co/8eJ8fG4D1W">https://t.co/8eJ8fG4D1W</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/CN3ioCDNK8">pic.twitter.com/CN3ioCDNK8</a>
—@amkfooteOuthouse said people used brooms, sticks and shovels to pry the victims free. At one point, one of the dogs turned towards a man holding a shovel, he said.
"We all kind of shouted, 'You have to do it.' He took the shovel and took a swing at the dog and hit it," described Outhouse.
Around that point the two dogs split in different directions. Police eventually found them in separate locations and shot them.
Neighbours on edge
On Monday afternoon, some residents in the neighbourhood told CBC News it's "scary" the dogs' owner hasn't been identified, since the area is full of young kids.
Tina Lavoie-Deschamps, who witnessed the attack, said her three young children haven't stopped asking her questions about the incident.
"I'm more nervous about letting [my kids] out," she said.
"My kids are really worried for the lady. They keep asking…'how she's doing, is she really ok?' They're asking me who owns the dogs…This could have happened anywhere, but it's still in the back of my mind…because I saw it."
Police initially reported that a child was also hurt, but they no longer believe that to be true.
Any additional victims are asked to contact police by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or by downloading the Ottawa Police Service app.
Less than a month, ago a 50-year-old woman was rushed to hospital in critical condition after being mauled by a dog in the city's Vanier neighbourhood.