Clarke’s Beach to contact RCMP about dog attacks

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A series of dog attacks in the Town of Clarke’s Beach brought two residents to the most recent council meeting on March 3.
Don Dawe and Betty Harbin say have both been attacked by dogs from the same Otterbury Road property. Dawe said he had been out walking with a friend and her dog when the animals came up from behind, forcing him to ward them off with his stick.
Harbin, who lives on Otterbury Road, said she and her own dog were both bitten by dogs from the same property in a separate incident.
Dawe said the occupants of the property seem to be caring for rescue dogs, which he supports as an animal lover. “But, in order to do that, you’ve got to have the proper facilities, in my opinion, so that they’re not going to harm other people,” he said.
Dawe noted other dog attacks have occurred in Newfoundland and Canada earlier this year. An attack against two elderly men in Pouch Cove left one of the victims needing plastic surgery. A 13-year-old in Nova Scotia was fatally attacked by three dogs while riding his bike, a tragedy that made national news. “It’s not only here,” Dawe said. “It’s a broad issue.”
Dawe suggested that the provincial Animal Protection Act and municipal animal control need work when it comes to dog control and enforcement. He noted the regulations in Clarke’s Beach say dogs must be properly tethered. However, the attacks on himself and Harbin took place when dogs were being moved to their tethers or a vehicle and were not restrained, he said.
Deputy Mayor Stephen Dawe asked whether such incidents should be reported to the RCMP. Harbin confirmed she did report the incident in which she and her dog were attacked, and was told by the RCMP to talk to the Town about the problem.
Harbin said she did just that and the Town’s animal control officer paid a visit to the owner of the dogs.
Harbin added that she later received a visit from an RCMP officer who asked for the owner’s address. Harbin said she provided it but didn’t hear anything more from the RCMP after.
Mayor Danielle Bussey noted the issue was also raised during the previous term of council.
“Our animal control officer did visit the home on multiple occasions regarding the dogs,” she said.
Dawe asked how many visits were necessary before the issue is dealt with.
Bussey said council could follow-up with the RCMP and the Town’s animal control officer to find out what steps they took last year and what the current situation is with the Otterbury Road property.