Two dogs seized by animal control officers after livestock killed

(North Cowichan, BC) - Two dangerous dogs have been seized from a residential property in North Cowichan. The dogs were identified as potentially being responsible for the deaths of more than two dozen sheep and one deer on neighbouring farms and properties in late March.

On March 29, two dogs allegedly entered a farm property and attacked a flock of sheep, chasing, attacking, biting, and mauling several of the animals. Later that day, two dogs entered another farm property where they attacked a herd of sheep, killing several mature-aged ewes. Nearby, on that same day, a pregnant deer was attacked and killed.

A warrant was approved, and on April 17, the Animal Control Officer, two RCMP officers, and two North Cowichan Bylaw team members seized the two dogs. The dogs are being held while the investigative and legal processes are underway.

A number of measures are under consideration including the levying of fines and other charges, subject to the completion of the investigation and subsequent legal processes.

The Animal Responsibility Bylaw outlines requirements and expectations with owning dogs, including that all dogs over the age of four months in North Cowichan must be licensed. Revenue generated through licensing supports animal control work which includes reuniting lost dogs with their owners, as well as for investigations related to the Animal Responsibility Bylaw. Coastal Animal Services provides contracted animal control services to North Cowichan.

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Media contact:

North Cowichan Communications
[email protected]