Videotape of playful dog upsets family of victim, 3

[Global Paw]

The grandmother of a toddler who was savagely mauled by her dog walked out of a Scarborough courtroom yesterday unable to watch a video of the animal as it frolicked with trainers from the Toronto Humane Society.

Phyllis Young said she couldn't look at her former pet, a pit bull-Labrador cross, which viciously attacked her 3-year-old grandson at her home last August. The attack, she said, left Daniel-James Collins "physically and emotionally scarred for life."

She insisted that Bandit, a once-loved family pet, be put down "so he never hurts anyone again."

But the dog's fate won't be decided until next week, when a provincial court hearing resumes in Scarborough.

A power outage yesterday halted proceedings at the courthouse on Markham Rd., where the Toronto Humane Society, the dog's new owner, is fighting to save him. It's embroiled in an unprecedented legal battle with the City of Toronto.

City officials ordered the dog euthanized after last year's attack. The humane society appealed that order and it was stayed. To force its hand, the city then charged the society under the Dog Owners' Liability Act.

When the hearing resumes on June 15, justice of the peace Patrick Deacon is to rule on whether Bandit should be put down or, if not, whether strict controls should be placed on the animal while owned by the society.

Any such conditions, however, would not apply to a new owner if the dog is adopted, humane society lawyer Pellegrino Capone confirmed yesterday.

"It's the first time we've gone to court to try and save a dog that's attacked someone," society spokesperson Amy White said outside court. Since the dog was surrendered to the agency almost 10 months ago, he has been rehabilitated and his behaviour has changed dramatically, making him eligible for adoption, she said.

"The humane society has been around for 115 years and the City of Toronto should respect and trust us to put safe dogs into the community and trust our experts," White said.

The very thought of the dog being near children made Phyllis Young bristle yesterday as she recounted last August's attack. She and the child's parents were in the kitchen as the tot ran in and out of an adjoining room.

"When Daniel ran into that room the second time, the dog lunged, grabbing him by the head and pulling him down to the floor," she said. "Bandit held him down with his paws and gnawed at his head. We pulled the dog off, but he tried to get back at Daniel."

After the child's father, Quinn Collins, grabbed the dog and carried him to the backyard, the attack stopped.

In those few seconds, the dog had ripped open the child's head from the right temple to the back of his head. Daniel also suffered multiple gashes on the top of his head and one of his cheeks was torn by dog bites.

He received more than 250 stitches.

His mother, Allyson Young, said outside court yesterday that Daniel's physical recovery has been good, "but he's emotionally scarred. It's been a very traumatic experience.

"I don't understand how the humane society can say the dog has been retrained and can be adopted. This wasn't just a bite. And there's no guarantee Bandit will never bite again."

The Youngs said they have no idea why the dog "snapped."

During yesterday's hearing, court heard how Bandit's behaviour changed while in the custody of the humane society. Canine services co-ordinators Jennifer Humphries and Tom Borscevski both testified the dog has been "resocialized" during the past several months.

"Bandit is quite obedient and very friendly with all people he comes in contact with," Humphries said.

Borscevski, seen working with the dog during a 15-minute video shown in court, described Bandit as "a loving dog," saying he'd never seen him growl or snap at another dog or person.

He said he's had about a dozen calls from people wanting to adopt the dog. Potential adopters would be advised of the dog's history, he added.