Despite the brutal attack that happened in late April, New Westminster resident Darren Pilling and his three-year-old sheltie, Finley, are back to hanging out at work together.
On April 22 at Burnaby's Fraser Foreshore Park, Pilling and his dog went on a walk that took an unexpected turn for the worst when a large, unleashed dog attacked Finley, which later resulted in an altercation between the two dog owners.
"(Finley's) good," Pilling told the Burnaby NOW. "She's with me at work, out of the hospital. So that's all good."
Finley was hospitalized for two weeks because the attack resulted in her losing a tremendous amount of blood and put a hole in her stomach, according to Pilling.
He said the veterinarian bills now exceed $20,000, as well.
"She had four surgeries and she was resuscitated three times, which means she was close to dying three times," he said. "The money; I'll figure out how to pay it all back."
Finley has no fur on one of her legs and her scars underneath have healed, but she's no longer the friendly and energetic dog Pilling knew before the attack occurred.
"She's a little more skittish compared to normal," he said. "She's usually super, super outgoing. She's not quite there. I don't know if that'll come back. She didn't want to go to the house for awhile. She sleeps all day - it's not normal for her.
"I wouldn't wish this on any-body, not even the guy who did this to us."
After Pilling's dog was attacked, he and Alexandru Radacina, the owner of the large dog that attacked Finley, exchanged words that resulted in an altercation, during which Pilling was also bitten on the leg by the large dog.
Radacina had refused to give Pilling his name or information, but a witness took photos of Radacina from behind and posted the incident on Craigslist.
The police found Burnaby resident Radacina, arrested him and charged him with assault, according to Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Dave Reid.
Radacina appeared before a provincial court judge in Vancouver late last week and the charges were stayed, as it was not clear who started the fight, Reid said, and the dog was not commanded to attack Pilling.
The Burnaby branch of the B.C. SPCA is now looking into the incident, according to branch manager, Ryan Voutilainen.
He said there are no other complaints lodged against the dog or its owner, Radacina, and Radacina is willing to comply with the city's animal control bylaw.
When the investigation is closed, the SPCA will work with the city and discuss how to move forward, Voutilainen said.
According to Burnaby's animal control bylaw, a vicious dog must be muzzled, and if it exhibits aggressive behaviour in an off-leash area, it must be leashed immediately.
For more information about dog off-leash areas and Burnaby's animal control bylaw, which is currently under review, visit www.burnaby.ca.
