The Burnaby owners of a pit bull responsible for killing a neighbour’s four-pound Yorkshire terrier will get to keep their dog with strict conditions.
The City of Burnaby applied to the courts to have the pit bull, named Pablo, destroyed after the dog attack in early 2016. But provincial court judge Thomas Gove spared the dog, returning Pablo to his owners Scott Williamson and Vanessa De Jong with several conditions.
The situation began on Feb. 1, 2016, at a Burnaby apartment complex when Pablo attacked and killed a neighbour’s dog named Bubba, according to the judgment.
There had been two prior incidents where Pablo tried to get at Bubba but was unable to because he was leashed.
The Burnaby SPCA investigated and offered to have Williamson and De Jong surrender the dog, but they declined. Instead, the couple agreed to keep Pablo contained on a leash and muzzled while the investigation continued.
The court heard Pablo was licensed with the city as a border collie and that there were two prior incidents where the dog had bitten smaller dogs at a dog park. The couple also said they licensed the dog under a different breed in order to get house insurance.
Under city bylaws, a pit bull is defined as a vicious dog, and the cost of registration is three times other dogs.
The judge noted the issue was whether Pablo should be destroyed or could he be returned to his owners and safely managed in the community.
Animal experts testified Pablo suffered from impulse control and aggression and a generalized anxiety disorder. One pet therapist who testified made a number of recommendations that would allow the dog to return home safely.
The judge agreed ordering 10 conditions that include Pablo being muzzled and leashed outside of any residence. The couple also has to put up a four-foot high metal gate at each door of the home, and the dog can be seized if there is any breach of the order.
Gove wrote the owners have impressed upon him that they appreciate the sacrifices on their part the plan will require, adding they are “that rare family” that is prepared to go through extraordinary steps to keep their dog alive.
“The time, money and effort that the owners will need to commit to the plan is beyond what many families would be prepared or able to commit to, but I accept that these owners consider Pablo to be their “son” and will take the somewhat extraordinary steps necessary to follow the plan and keep the community safe,” the judge said.
