Owner arrested in Eastern Townships dog attack that left woman injured

MONTREAL – The owner of three dogs involved in an attack that seriously wounded a jogger in Quebec’s Eastern Townships region earlier this year has been arrested.

Quebec provincial police say they arrested a suspect on Aug. 26 in connection with the incident, which occurred on March 29.

The suspect was released following questioning, and Crown prosecutors are now studying the file to determine whether to lay a charge of criminal negligence causing bodily injury.

Police did not confirm the identity of the suspect, but The Canadian Press has learned it is the owner of the three dogs that attacked a woman as she jogged along a road in Potton Township, about 125 kilometres southeast of Montreal.

Animal welfare authorities subsequently deemed the dogs too dangerous to be returned to their owners, and local councillors voted to euthanize the animals.

The mauling prompted an outpouring of support and fundraising efforts for the woman.