Article appeared in the Oct 13, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
Dawn Mason of Riverton learned, on Oct. 7, that her dog, Sasha, a Husky-cross, would not be destroyed, despite having killed a neighbour’s dog last month. However, the dog will not be allowed to show its face in the Village of Riverton again.
Rene Granger, Manager of the Gimli Humane Society, released the dog to Mason with the understanding that the dog would not be returning to Riverton. Mason indicated that Sasha would be taken directly to Winnipeg, and would permanently stay with Mason’s mother who has a fenced yard in the city.
The first stop for the dog upon its arrival to Winnipeg would be to a veterinary clinic for vaccinations and tattooing, and then to get a City of Winnipeg dog licence, Mason said.
City of Winnipeg officials were notified that the dog has been declared dangerous in the Village of Riverton, but said they do not recognize declarations made outside its own jurisdiction, both, Granger and Riverton CAO, Nadine Eyjolfson, confirmed.
Sasha spent 20 days at the Gimli Humane Society, awaiting the outcome of a public hearing that was held in Riverton on Sept.29. Mason paid the $200 boarding costs to the humane society, and a $500 fine prior to the dog’s release.
“It is worth it,” Mason said, relieved at the outcome.
Since the incident, Mason has had her other two small-breed dogs vaccinated, and has purchased a secure run for them which will be placed in the yard at Mason’s home in Riverton. Mason admitted that her dogs would occasionally get out of their yard. The new run will help prevent further incidents.
Neighbour, Nikki Johannson, whose dog, Ginger, lost its life as a result of the incident, said she is satisfied with the decision to relocate Sasha, and with steps Mason has taken to keep her other dogs from running at large.
Johannson and Mason have since patched things up.
“It’s not her fault; It was the dog’s,” Johannson said in a telephone interview. “She apologized and everything is OK. We never wanted to make a big deal out of it.”
