Fatal dog attack leaves community shocked and family mourning

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

An investigation is ongoing as a family mourns the death of a Langdon woman who died trying to save her granddaughter from a dog attack.
The 50-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, succumbed to her injuries when her boxer-pitbull-cross attacked her last Saturday evening at her farm in Rocky View County.
The dog initially attacked the victim’s two-and-a-half year old granddaughter, who was taken to the Alberta Children’s Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries to her arms and legs. The woman died at the scene.
“When it comes to animals, you have to be cautious, especially with animals that aren’t known to you,” said Cst. Hibbs with the RCMP’s K Division. “Don’t approach an animal unless you know the animal and just be cautious when you do so.”
Hibbs said more information will be released when the investigation is complete.
The dog – along with another dog on the property – have been quarantined in Calgary for 10 days for monitoring and assessment.
According to the RCMP, witnesses to the incident said the dog had shown no previous signs of aggression and was otherwise well behaved.
Following the monitoring period, the family may choose to euthanize the dog, or the police can apply for the dog to be declared dangerous and be put down, through the court system.
Community members have already taken to social media to express their condolences as well as engaging in discussions about supporting the family by starting a GoFundMe page.
The investigation is ongoing and the identities of those involved have not been revealed.