Future of pit bulls that killed a collie in Kamloops uncertain

The three dogs suspected to have mauled another to death in Kamloops are in custody after they were willingly surrendered to bylaw officers.

That according to City of Kamloops community services manager Will Beatty, who said his department continues to investigate the incident that left a 12-year-old collie dead.

Police were called around 6 a.m., Sept. 8, after the dog was killed in North Kamloops. Three pit bulls were later given up from another home.

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"It's a tragic incident," Beatty said. "It's something we take very serious, and if there are aggressive dogs that are out there and they should be deemed that, they shouldn't be in our community."

He noted that officers do have the authority to seize dogs during an investigation, but that wasn't needed in this case as they were given up willingly.

It's not clear whether police will continue to investigate separately.

The City's investigation will examine direct evidence of the incident and take the advice of animal behaviour specialists. A specialist could determine whether all three of the dogs are dangerous or perhaps just one, Beatty said.

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"At that point we take the necessary steps to protect the community," he said.

That could include fines for the dog owner and potentially euthanasia for dangerous dogs, but Beatty noted there will be an appeal process open to the owner at the conclusion of the investigation.

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