Experts urge caution for families with pets after infant killed in Entwistle dog attack

A tragic dog attack that claimed the life of a 14-day-old infant in the small west-central Alberta hamlet of Entwistle has left the community in mourning.

Parkland County Mayor Allan Gamble extended his condolences Tuesday, calling the incident a “heartbreaking loss of a young life in our community.”

“In this difficult time, we ask for understanding and compassion as our community grieves and processes this tragedy together. We stand with those impacted and extend our support as we navigate this painful situation as a united community,” Gamble said in a statement.

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RCMP said emergency crews responded to the home around 7:30 a.m. Sunday but, despite medical efforts, the infant was pronounced dead in hospital.

The family’s dog has since been surrendered as officers investigate, though criminal charges are not being considered, police said. A veterinarian will examine the dog before authorities decide if it will be euthanized.

RCMP described the dog as medium-sized but did not confirm its breed.

The Edmonton Humane Society expressed sorrow over the tragedy, emphasizing the importance of pet safety, particularly when introducing a dog to a newborn.

“This is an unimaginable loss for the family, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time,” CEO Liza Sunley said in a statement. “While we are not aware of the full circumstances of this tragic incident, it’s understandable that such events raise concerns for parents about their children’s safety around animals.”

Though fatal dog attacks are rare in Canada, the humane society said awareness and proper training can help prevent future tragedies.

The humane society said dogs rely on body language to communicate and changes in their environment, such as a new baby in the home, can be stressful to them. To reduce risks, the organization said parents should always supervise interactions between pets and children, especially infants and toddlers. Parents should also watch for early signs of stress such as lip licking, yawning or stiff posture, and always provide pets with a safe retreat space. Positive reinforcement can help build trust, and consulting a certified trainer or behaviour expert can offer additional guidance in managing pet-child relationships.

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Angie Taylor is the founder of DK9S Canine Rehabilitation and Custom Training which offers canine rehabilitation and training services in Lamont, Alberta. As a mother and grandmother, Taylor said she understands the grief parents feel in these situations, as she shared her personal experience with her son being bitten by a family dog, resulting in him getting 26 stitches.

She said incidents like these are not about the breed of the dog but individual temperament.

“It is not about breed specific ever. It’s more personality trait specific,” she said, adding that breed can sometimes be an influence, but “not because they’re going to target a child or an animal. It has more to do with the simulation.”

Considering the baby was only 14 days old, Taylor said it’s important to examine multiple factors to understand a dog in that situation.

“Dogs will change their personality when we get pregnant, right? And they can become more protective, or they can be more fearful of everything around them. They’ll be more anxious because the mom is anxious, right? So they feel that, and they feed off of that,” she said.

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In the case of newborns, she said that the sounds babies make can be particularly stimulating for some dogs.

“The baby crying is a very intense cry,” she said. 

Taylor said a dog perceives young children differently than adults, which can influence their reactions in ways that may not always be predictable.

“Dogs don’t see children under the age of four as people. They see them as animals,” she said. “When (young children) start walking, they walk side to side. So if you look out on the field and you see a badger, a skunk, or even a duck walking, they don’t walk, they wobble, right? That side-to-side movement is what triggers prey instincts in many animals, including dogs.”

She added that young children’s behaviours, such as grabbing onto a dog for balance, can be misinterpreted by the animal.

These dynamics mean supervision is essential at all times, she said. 

“You never leave any dog — I don’t care if it’s even a Chihuahua —  unattended, uncrated, when you have a baby or a child in the vicinity. When you’re not in the room, put the dog in a crate. Don’t let the dog just roam. You never know. I mean, you just never, never, never know,” she said.

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cnguyen@postmedia.com

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