Boy scarred for life after dog attack

A Kelowna boy required 40 stitches after being attacked by a pitbull last week, and his mom says Bylaw Officers need more teeth.

The incident occurred Friday August 5 when Zach Williams, 8, was visiting his friend's home.

Photo: Contributed - Facebook

Zach Williams, 8, was mauled by a pitbull last week. His mom says owners should not be allowed to decide their pets fate.

Mom Tamie Williams says the pitbull was laying on the couch before it lunged at her son, mauling him in the face and piercing his cheek and throat.

It will take a year for the scar to settle, and even then plastic surgery may be necessary.

"He's a little trooper but it's beyond scary," says Williams, noting that Zach and the pitbull normally got along just fine.

Williams says that a few months ago the dog attacked another neighbourhood dog and then stalked its family when they rescued their pet.

"The reason we are wanting to draw attention to this is because the mauling that the dog perpetrated on my son is actually his second offence."

She is urging the Regional District of the Central Okanagan to change laws which currently allow owners to decide the fate of their pet.

Initially, the owner refused to put his dog down, but has since relented.

The pitbull will reportedly be put down on Monday, August 8.

Williams says she does not want a breed ban but changes to bylaws.

"How can someone whose dog almost ripped the face off an eight-year-old not agree to have their dog put down? I get that you raised your dog from a puppy to be a loyal member of your family, but why does that supercede what happened to my son? In the UK there is a law that the owners cannot make that decision, the decision is made for them."

For now, Williams is writing letters and petitioning via her Facebook page.

"There are two bylaw officers for this whole area, and it is like their hands are tied."