A vicious attack by two German shepherd-cross type dogs at Island View Beach Regional Park has left one dog dead and the CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services calling for witnesses to identify the attackers and find their owner.
Dianne Donohue had just dropped off a friend at Victoria airport on Monday afternoon when she decided to stop on her way home with her two Havanese dogs.
“It was a spur of the moment thing. It was a beautiful, sunny day and I thought it would be wonderful to go for a walk on the beach,” said Donohue.
She was returning to her car when two large German shepherd-cross type dogs appeared (she said they could have weighed up to 100 pounds each) and attacked Daisy, a two-year-old Havanese weighing about nine pounds.
“I was screaming in terror as she thrashed about in the water. I couldn’t save her. I would pull off one dog, but then the other would continue the attack. It was terrible and beyond anything I have experienced in my life,” Donohue said.
Neither she nor her other dog, Murphy, were injured.
Donohue couldn’t see any owner present, but recalls that there were other people on the beach at about 3:45 p.m., when the attack took place, who might have witnessed the incident or remember the two dogs.
Donohue rushed her dog to the nearby Central Saanich Animal Hospital, where doctors confirmed Daisy had suffered extensive injuries, including a punctured lung and a number of broken ribs. She died shortly after with Donohue by her side.
“I hope to find the dogs and their owner so that nobody will have to undergo the same tragic loss,” she said.
Dogs are required to be on a leash at the park campground. From June 1 to Sept. 15, dogs must be on leash when passing through all beach areas above the natural boundary of the sea.
CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services are investigating the attack and appealed for witnesses.
People who were in the area at the time of the attack or witnessed the incident are asked to call the CRD at 250-474-3351.
parrais@timescolonist.com
