Kathryn Lewis walked about five kilometers every day along Prince Edward Island's Confederation Trail.
But the 67-year-old woman said she was too scared to go back, left shaken and traumatized by Saturday's incident, which also injured her dog.
Lewis said she was walking her cocker spaniel/poodle mix, Oliver, on a path behind Charlottetown's Royalty Crossing Mall when the large dog ran away from its owner.
“He dragged my dog into the ditch, put his head in his mouth, wrapped his teeth around my neck and wouldn't let go,” she said in an interview with CBC.
Lewis is appealing to dog owners who use the trail to keep their animals under control.
“This man had no control over his dog. The dog was dealt with. This was not a dog fight. This was a kill,” she said. “He kept saying, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,' and I kept screaming for help.”
The incident happened Saturday on Confederation Trail near Loyalty Crossing Mall in Charlottetown. (Mary Helen Maryse/CBC)
Lewis said the man continued to restrain the dog, but each time the dog would break free and attack Oliver again.
“The dog lunges at me and pushes me down because I'm picking things out.” [Oliver] I got up, grabbed the dog and took him back to the ditch, but the same thing happened again. This happened at least 4 times. ”
It doesn't feel safe. I walk that path every day. I'll never go back. — Kathryn Lewis
Lewis called 911, and police arrived and took a statement. Animal protection officers from the PEI Humane Society also attended the scene.
Lewis went to the hospital to be treated for shoulder pain, and her husband took Oliver to the Atlantic Veterinary College emergency room for bruising around his neck.
“I was lucky I didn't have my hands or face ripped off, but it was one of the most terrifying things I've ever experienced.”
It could have been worse, but it was enough to keep her and Oliver away from their favorite walk.
“I don't feel safe. I walk that road every day. I'm never going back,” she said.
“It's a free-for-all. There are children, there are elderly people, there are people riding bicycles, there are people jogging, and then there are the dogs. I want to go there.” [a] Chase a running person. That's not fair. ”
Kathryn Lewis said she no longer felt safe walking the Confederation Trail after the incident. (Mary Helen Maryse/CBC)
Charlottetown police said in an email to CBC that the investigation has been turned over to the humane society responsible for animal control enforcement in the city.
Under Charlottetown's dog control ordinance, owners can be fined if their dogs attack people or run amok within city limits. Dogs that attempt to bite people or violently attack other animals may be euthanized.
No one from the PEI Humane Society would be available for an interview Monday.
But on Monday afternoon, Lewis said she was told by animal protection officers that no fines or any other action would be taken.
Officers said the dog's owner was remorseful and the dog had no history of aggression. And what happened was an accident.
Lewis said the other dog's owner offered to pay for the vet bill, but she declined.
