Great Dane attacks

Photo: Contributed - Brittany Quinn

Abagale recovering after surgery

Pit bulls often get a bad rap and are the subject of many dog attack stories, but the latest incident coming out of Peachland features a Great Dane.

Brittany Quinn and her family were out in Peachland on Trepanier Road with their beloved 90-pound pet hound Abagale when she was critically attacked by a large dog suspected of being a Great Dane.

“We were all going up to Trepanier Road to take my kid quadding for his birthday with a bunch of our friends and we showed up and this lady was walking her dog, a very large breed dog, it was grey and blue,” explains Quinn.

“My dog jumped out of the truck rather quickly and was all excited running around all of the vehicles and then she nonchalantly walked up to the woman’s dog and the dog charged my dog!"

According to Quinn both dogs were off-leash and running free from their owners. 

She says the large dog then latched on to Abby's neck and violently shook her creating giant puncture wounds in her face, before Abby was able to break free and run away.

“The women did nothing to stop the fight when my dog ran away from hers, she just ran to her truck and sped off without saying a word or leaving any of her information,” said Quinn in disbelief.

Castanet asked Quinn if she thought the Great Dane may have been provoked, but says there was no reason at all and Abby loved other dogs.

“My dog Abagale, if you asked anyone who knows her, is the friendliest dog in the world, she loves all animals and all people ... except for squirrels,” joked Quinn.

Quinn and her family checked Abby over and took her home, but the next morning they realized the bites were quite serious and rushed her to the vet.

“The vet had to put her into surgery and put drains in her face and do a big surgery that cost us over $800,” said a frustrated Quinn.

“She is at home recovering with her cone on -- which she hates. And now we have to make vet visits everyday to make sure her drains are draining properly and there won't be any further problems with infections. She is on antibiotics and pain killers for the next week.”

Dr. Moshe Oz of Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital was the vet who helped Abby. He says her injuries were quite serious.

“She came in with bites wounds to the neck; literally in the neck where the jugular veins are. We did a surgery where we flushed the wounds and put in the drains but it is not out of the woods yet. It still has a long way to go,” said Oz.

Oz says this is the second time he's heard about a Great Dane attack in recent months and he is wondering if there is a problem dog out there.

“I told them that I know about another Great Dane that bit another dog a few months ago. I guess there is a Great Dane out there that is biting other dogs,” said Oz.

Quinn is hoping the woman will come forward as she is concerned the dog is a danger to other dog owners.

“My first reaction was definitely surprise. I couldn't believe that she didn't care whatsoever if my dog was ok, didn't care to leave any of her information with us,” said Quinn.

“I also wonder if it has happened before because of her reaction, she sped off so fast.”

The woman is described as a blonde woman wearing a bright coloured jacket with pink and blue stripes on it, also wearing nurse type pants. She drove a dark coloured large SUV, likely a black Cadillac Escalade, newer model.

Her dog has grey and blue fur. Quinn believes it Great Dane but may be something similar.

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