Dog Attacks In Canada
Here is a chilling, but thought-provoking follow story on the dog attack from northern Saskatchewan last week that killed a little boy:
Children on reserves are at least 100 times more likely than children living off-reserve to be killed by a dog.
That's the claim one expert is making a week after the fatal mauling of a 10-year-old boy by a pack of dogs on a First Nation reserve in northern Saskatchewan.
Keith Iron was on his way to visit a friend when he was attacked by three dogs Jan. 30. The boy was later found in a yard, only a half block from his home.
"He just about made it to the steps, but didn't make it there," said the boy's aunt, who preferred to not give her name.
Read more here.
A 10-year-old boy is dead after being attacked and killed by stray dogs on the Canoe Lake First Nation Saturday.
Family members say Keith Iron was on his way to visit a cousin when he was attacked by a pack of four or five dogs.
“He almost made it,” said Cynthia Iron Ballantyne, the boy’s aunt.
RCMP were called at 11:25 a.m. Saturday and found the boy dead in a yard on the First Nation. While RCMP did not release the name until Monday afternoon, community members confirmed on Sunday it was 10-year-old Keith.
RCMP on Monday also confirmed that three dogs were “disturbing the body” of Iron upon the discovery. Official cause of death is still being investigated by the Coroner’s Office.
“He was smart. He was very loving to everyone,” said a distraught Iron Ballantyne through tears.
The boy was at the top of his class and never missed school, she said.
His brothers and sisters are also mourning the death, especially his younger brother, who he was closest to.
“Keith was loving and not afraid to tell anyone ‘I love you,’ ” she said.
“He had love for everyone, and he was really close to his brother . . . they were inseparable.”
This is not the first time someone has been hurt by dogs on the reserve, said Iron Ballantyne. “There’s an overpopulation here,” she said. “It’s the same thing like in Ile-a-la-Crosse.”
Last September, six-year-old Shiloh Berscheid was seriously injured after being attacked by stray dogs in Ile-a-la-Crosse .
Iron’s family is awaiting the result of a coroner’s report and RCMP continue to investigate the death.
A funeral for Iron will be held at Canoe Lake School Thursday afternoon.
Canoe Lake First Nation is located 350 kilometres north of North Battleford.
jstewart@sp.canwest.com
