Kamloops man on hook for $1,500 after dangerous dog attack

A Kamloops man, whose dangerous dog attacked a neighbour’s dog and caused a physical altercation between the two owners that involved pepper spray, has been ordered to pay $1,550 to cover vet bills.

According to a June 22 BC Civil Resolution Tribunal decision, the incident took place just after 6 a.m. when Peter Shannon was walking Dash, his 13-year-old Jack Russell terrier mix near his Kamloops home, when they encountered Violet, a large German shepherd owned by Leo Scott Shea.

Both owners have vastly different versions of what took place.

In the decision, Shannon said they saw Violet about 150 feet away, barking, growling and charging towards them.

When the German Shepard was a few feet away, he sprayed her with a dog and coyote repellent, although it had little effect as Violet ran past and began attacking Dash.

Shannon then jumped on top of the German Shepard.

Shea then tackled Shannon off his dog, and Shannon responded by spraying the pepper spray at him.

Shannon yelled at Shea to get control of his dog, and said he replied, “It’s not my dog that’s going to get killed.”

Both dogs took off down the road, with Violet chasing Dash.

Several neighbours came out and witnessed the events, and two jumped in their vehicles to follow and search for the dogs. The police were called.

Dash was located near his home and had visible bite marks on him. 

Shannon claims Shea then drove up to his house and began yelling, cursing and threatening them from inside his truck, while filming them.

A vet later found a puncture wound to the right of the dog’s tail base, a broken nail and other superficial wounds.

Shannon sued at the online small claims court, arguing Shea should cover the $1,500 vet bill.

Shea responded with a counterclaim, arguing for $5,000 compensation for being pepper-sprayed.

The German Shepard’s owner told a different story, saying it was Dash that had charged at Violet, and that Violet was responding to protect him. He said he was just about to grab his dog’s collar when he got pepper-sprayed. 

He called for an ambulance, which treated his injured skin and eyes. He denied driving over and yelling at Shannon. He also claims for lost wages as he had to miss a day of work because of the incident.

However, the Tribunal dismissed much of Shea’s version of events, siding with Shannon.

“Mr. Shannon provided the municipality’s redacted incident file and a redacted RCMP incident report,” the Tribunal said.

The report had collaborative witness testimony about what took place.

“I note that the officer’s notes say that they will not lay assault charges against Mr. Shannon for using the spray, since Mr. Shannon was acting in good faith to prevent imminent death or bodily harm to his dog,” the Tribunal said.

The decision said that in November 2024, the City deemed Violet an aggressive dog and she required muzzling, microchipping, licensing and insurance.

Shannon also provided evidence showing that shortly before the incident, Violet had charged Dash and another dog.

Shea provided a witness statement which backed up his side of the story.

However, the Tribunal doubted its reliability.

The Tribunal said the witness had not given statements to the RCMP or bylaw officers who investigated after the incident, and this statement wasn’t made until a year afterwards.

“The delay of (the) statement is further puzzling given that the municipality proceeded to investigate the incident and determine that Violet was an aggressive dog under its bylaws,” the Tribunal.

Court records show he was fined a $1,000 in 2025 for bylaw offences.

The Tribunal pulled holes in the statement and didn’t find it truthful.

Shea argued that Violet isn’t an aggressive dog.

However, Shannon provided details of two other reported events involving the German shepherd.

“I find Violet’s earlier behaviour was consistent with her behaviour,” the Tribunal ruled. “I find Mr. Shannon has proved that Mr. Shea knew, or should have known, that his dog was likely to create a risk to other dogs if let off-leash near his property.”

The Tribunal ruled that Shea failed to take reasonable care to prevent Violet’s attack on Dash and that the dog should have been on a leash.

Ultimately, the Tribunal ordered Shea to pay $1,551 to cover vet bills, interest, and fees.

The Tribunal also dismissed Shea’s claim for being pepper-sprayed, saying the response was justified.

The decision said Violet was eventually re-homed.