Dog attack that killed 13-year-old raises safety concerns
Heidi Echavarria- 0
- 4 minutes read
The recent fatal dog attack in Nova Scotia, in which a 13–year-old boy was killed while riding his bike, has raised concerns across the country about public safety and responsible pet ownership. While such cases are rare, animal control officials in Lethbridge note that dog-related incidents do occur locally.
Skylar Plourde, Director of Services & Enforcement at Community Animal Services, says in 2025 the agency investigated 129 complaints related to dog bites or dangerously aggressive behavior. By comparison, only three complaints involved a cat biting or attacking a person.
In Alberta, depending on the severity of the attack and if there’s any sort of history, owners can be charged and/or fined. At least two Nova Scotia municipalities have tried to ban certain dog breeds in recent years, but weren’t able to effectively enforce the bylaw.
