Elderly woman mauled to death : Dogs Euthanized After Fatal Attack in Calgary

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Calgary dog attack euthanized
2. Elderly woman fatal dog attack 2022

A Calgary judge has ordered two dogs to be destroyed for their involvement in the tragic death of an elderly woman two years ago. The decision was made after the dogs attacked the 86-year-old woman, causing fatal injuries to her neck, throat, and head. The main attacker has already been put down, but the City of Calgary sought to have the remaining two euthanized as well. Despite the owner’s plea for adoption and behaviour modification, the judge ruled in favour of destroying the dogs due to the severity of the attack. The case has raised concerns about emergency response times and public safety in the community.

The Tragic Incident in Calgary

Imagine the horror of an elderly woman being mauled to death by three dogs while peacefully gardening in a back alley. This nightmare became a reality for 86-year-old Betty Ann Williams in Calgary, Alberta, on June 5, 2022.

A Devastating Attack

Williams was tending to her garden when three American Staffordshire terriers escaped from a fenced backyard and launched a vicious attack on her. The dogs inflicted fatal injuries to her neck, throat, and head, leaving her with multiple cuts, bruises, and gruesome wounds.

Judge’s Ruling

After the harrowing incident, Justice Bruce Fraser ruled that the two remaining dogs involved in the attack should be destroyed. Despite the owner, Denis Bagaric, pleading for the dogs to be spared and rehabilitated, the judge deemed them too dangerous to be returned to the community.

The Aftermath

Bagaric, visibly upset by the judge’s decision, has already been fined $18,000 and banned from owning pets for 15 years. He pleaded guilty to city bylaw charges related to the attack, acknowledging the severity of the situation.

Independent Review

The case sparked an independent review as paramedics took 30 minutes to respond to the incident, leading to questions about the emergency response system. The Health Quality Council of Alberta found that the initial emergency call was incorrectly coded, resulting in a delayed response time that may have cost Williams her life.

Conclusion

The tragic death of Betty Ann Williams serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for swift emergency responses in cases of animal attacks. As the community mourns the loss of a beloved member, justice has been served, but the scars of this horrific incident will forever remain.