SUBMITTED PHOTO Little Rufus is supported at a veterinary clinic after being badly injured in an attack by a bullmastiff in Crescent Heights on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
A miniature doberman pinscher is fighting for his life after being attacked by a bullmastiff in Crescent Heights last Thursday.
Rufus has seven deep puncture wounds, three broken ribs, a shoulder broken in two places and a few molars ripped out of his mouth.
It all started when Rufus, 7, and Max, 12, were on leash and going for a walk about 8 a.m. While on the sidewalk the bullmastiff from a neighbouring home rushed out.
“He grabbed Rufus by the shoulder, shook him violently and then dropped him in the road and started to go for Max,” said Keith Keller.
The bullmastiff then went back to Rufus and carried him off into the yard, said Keller. It was only after someone at the neighbour’s house called to the bullmastiff that Rufus was dropped on the grass, bleeding badly.
“It was Rufus last week, will it me my children next?” asks Keller, who has two children, ages four and six.
A city bylaw officer came to the home, but the bullmastiff was not taken away, said Keller. It has also been impossible to get information on whether this dog’s shots are up to date, which the veterinarian asked for.
Rufus was treated with an IV antibiotic and pain killers. They were told the extent of his injuries, which were immediately apparent. It was then up to the family to decide whether or not to put him down. The next morning Keller looked at Rufus.
“Rufus still had life in his eyes. When he saw me his tail started to wag,” said Keller who could not face putting him down.
The bill for his care is already more than $2,000. Depending on tests being carried out on Tuesday, he may have to be sent to Calgary for further care. The bill could climb significantly if that is necessary, said Keller.
“I felt the bylaw officer was more concerned about the bullmastiff and its owner,” said Keller.
Barri-Ann Hayward, acting supervisor for bylaw, responded to questions from the News.
Hayward said usually a dog would be seized if the owner was not present.
Keller says the owner is someone living in a trailer parked in the neighbour’s driveway.
“The dog owner has been charged with having an animal running at large, animal causes injury to another animal, and animal bites another animal,” Hayward said in an email to the News.
Keller is concerned that bylaw considers the bullmastiff to not have any previous history of aggression.
“We do not have any history with this animal and no way of knowing where it has been previously,” said Hayward.
We do not have copies of vet records but we are waiting for them as well. The CPO (Community Peace Officer) that is dealing with this file is off until Friday.”
Regarding the large veterinary bill, Keller has little hope of recovering it.
“Bylaw does not get involved in costs incurred from a bite, it is a civil matter,” said Hayward.
The aggressor needs to either wear a muzzle for the remainder of his life or be euthanized. His owner must pay the bill, nothing else makes any sense here.
The aggressor needs to either wear a muzzle for the remainder of his life or be euthanized. His owner must pay the bill, nothing else makes any sense here.