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Tuesday, 11 October 2011

Outpouring of sympathy for boy whose dog was killed

A follow-up to a story we shared with you on Sunday that's got a lot of people talking.
It's the story of 11 year old Cody Hogg, and his chihuahua Finnigan.

The dog was killed on the weekend right before Cody's eyes when a woman grabbed the dog's leash and flung the animal when it nipped at her.

Since the story aired, the family has received several offers for help and support. And as Cristina Tenaglia reports, it's these acts of kindness that have restored the family's faith in their community.

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8 comments

  • Comment Link Saturday, 22 October 2011 posted by Michelle

    I have to agree with you. What about the rights of the woman who got bothered by the dog? I would have done the same as the woman, because I don't want to be nipped and bitten on my feet and ankles. It was the boy's duty to pull the dog away. These days dogs get more rights than humans.

  • Comment Link Tuesday, 18 October 2011 posted by Helena

    This is absolutely disgusting. for a woman to kill a 3 lb dog because she didn't have the common sense to back away or even to pick the little dog up. My heart goes out to the family. I would also like to add to Mr. Miller that its rather rude of you to think people shouldn't let their dogs out, or near others. Dogs need to go out and be acclimatized to people, or they end up as nasty dogs. I'm sorry about your child, but can you even blame that on a dog or is it your own fault for not being watchful enough? Dogs do as they are trained. People however do as they wish.

  • Comment Link Tuesday, 18 October 2011 posted by Myob

    As usual news services never get the complete both sides of the story.
    I am an owner of 2 dogs so I am not a dog hater. My dogs are walked on a 6 foot leash and are under control at all times.
    I have seen to many times where dog owners walking their dogs have no control of the dog.
    People walking dogs on flex leashes let the dogs have a run of up to 20 feet. The owner has no control at all over the dog with this type of leash.
    I've seen some run into the road and almost get hit by a car.

    I feel bad about the poor dog and all the people involved.
    Was the woman charged just defending herslf from being attacked or was it animal abuse?
    Should an 8 year old be walking a dog without supervision on a busy street?
    Walking a dog is not just putting a leash on and going out the door.

  • Comment Link Monday, 17 October 2011 posted by Nicole B

    RE: Chris Miller
    Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I do have to say I find your absolutely ridiculous. For you to say you would react the same way is shocking. First of all, the dog was not "attacking" her. Attack is defined as "to set upon in a forceful, violent, hostile, or aggressive way, with or without a weapon; begin fighting with." None of which the puppy displayed. To be honest even if he was, he is 5 pounds. She is a grown woman. The dog was on a leash. There are many things she could've done to get out of the situation. She could've kicked him away, taken a few steps back, told Cody to pick up his dog. She didn't just grab his leash, she grabbed in with so much force that the dog went from the sidewalk to landing in the middle of the road. He was a tiny, tiny puppy. Now, if the dog was larger, and was actually being agressive, she could've used more force without harming the dog. For example, if a child is at your leg screaming, kicking and biting you. Are you going to punch the child in the face or throw him/her across the room? I would hope not. Now if a grown 250lbs man was doing this, then yes, you probably would. The fact of the matter is, there are so many other things this woman could've done without killing this family's dog. And even if it was an accident and she didn't mean to use that much force, you think she would've apologized. She didn't say one word to the boy. Another person mentioned that she should be charged with child abuse as well. I completely agree. She killed this poor boys puppy right in front of him. He is now traumatized. I know I would be too. I just can not for the life of me understand how anyone can justify this woman's actions!

  • Comment Link Sunday, 16 October 2011 posted by Crystal Roach

    I just wanted to say that when I heard about this I was heart broken, being a dog owner myself. But as soon as I saw this exact news clip the night it aired I started to cry. I had helped Finnigan and Cody's mom a few weeks before it happened fit a costume and a coat for Finnigan at the PetSmart I work at. He was a very cute and friendly dog. He was trying to play with another dog that day and she wanted nothing to do with him. I couldn't see a mean bone in his tiny body. I cannot say why he nipped the lady but I would imagine she may have startled him in some way because even after only meeting him once I knew he was a very friendly dog. I do hope that they get a lot of support and that they do find another dog that they will love as much as Finnigan. They very well deserve all the love and support they get.

  • Comment Link Saturday, 15 October 2011 posted by Rose

    Is the boy being charged for having a dog that bites? He needs to take some responsibility for the accident. Maybe keep his next biting dog on a short leash.

  • Comment Link Thursday, 13 October 2011 posted by Chris Miller

    Dear CHCH News,

    I am absolutely incensed at how you took the side of the boy against the woman in the "dog killing" incident at Main and Wentworth streets. The woman was protecting herself as she should have against the dog's attack. She yanked its leash to stop the dog from biting her feet and ankles. I would and most certainly will do the same when confronted with a similar situation. Under the stress of the moment, you cannot expect us to react as a trained police officer or dog-kennel owner, or even as a dog-owner, if we are not accustomed to handling dogs. I am also incensed at the police for charging the woman with a crime! I cannot believe it! So, she is to carry around a debilitating criminal record and its stigma for the rest of her life for protecting herself from an animal out of control? This is disgusting. It drains my respect for the police. Your handling of the story drains my respect for your news reporting also. You are terribly biased. By the way, my daughter was scarred for life by a small dog who tore her face apart. It is folly for my wife and I to take our kids on a daily walk, due to the number of dog owners in the area who do not keep their dogs on a leash, and if they do, allow their dogs to come close to my kids. I am incredibly angry about this. Since when do dog owners have the right to let their dogs bite us? And we have to let their dogs bite us or be charged? What kind of country is this? I am so angry about this.

  • Comment Link Wednesday, 12 October 2011 posted by dave

    I am trying to reach out to the family as I have come across a chihuahua that is being given away if it is any interest to the family

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