Officials seize dogs involved in attack in West Kelowna

Photo: Contributed

Image of 3 dogs and person allegedly involved in swarming attack at Kalamoir Park

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Photo: Contributed Photo: Contributed Photo: Contributed

UPDATE 1:43 p.m.

Two of the four dogs allegedly involved in an attack on a victim in Kalamoir Park have now been seized, but RDCO manager of protective services David Gazley says they are still looking for the two other dogs and the woman who was walking them at the time.

The owner has now been identified.

"We received information about the dog's whereabouts and we have seized two of the four dogs," Gazley says but when they went to seize the dog walker was not there.

"We know who she is, but we're still trying to determine which dog belongs to who."

Gazley says they are also hoping to hear from any witnesses who actually saw the attack, "once we seize the dogs then we will bring in a professional trainer to assess them."

The victim is still recovering and wants to remain anonymous as she is still coping with the trauma of the attack.

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.

The West Kelowna RCMP says they have helped the Regional District of Central Okanagan seize a group of dogs involved in an attack on a woman earlier this month.

RDCO protective services managed to identify the suspect before asking police to assist as they attended and seized the dogs in question.

Castanet has reached out to RDCO manager of protective services David Gazley for more details.

ORIGINAL 4:00 a.m.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan is investigating an alleged dog attack at Kalamoir Park earlier this month.

RDCO manager of protective services David Gazley says there was a swarming attack on Nov. 16 just after 3 p.m., where it is believed several dogs either managed to get loose or were off-leash when they attacked a woman. The injuries were serious and will require plastic surgery to repair.

"Our understanding is they met each other and somehow the dogs got loose from their leashes or pulled away and the victim suffered numerous dog bites that required medical attention," Gazley says.

Gazley says police attended the scene quickly and took statements from the victim and the person who was handling the dogs at the time.

However, the person who was handling the dogs either by mistake or on purpose provided a false name and contact information, and officials have been unable to follow up and find out who the actual owner of the dogs is.

"All I know is that when we tried to follow up with the name and number, it didn't go through, so we're investigating that as well," Gazley said.

A friend of the victim tells Castanet the victim has been in and out of hospital and will need plastic surgery on her leg where she is missing skin.

"If anybody has any information or witnessed this, please call our dog control office at 250.469.6284. RDCO has an investigator working on this file," says Gazley.