Strathmore woman mourns dog killed in Bayside attack

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An evening walk with a friend ended in the loss of Darlene Neilson’s dog and injuries to both women after an attack near Bayside Place on Sept. 30, according to Neilson and her daughter, Stacey Kelly.

Now Neilson is grieving the loss of her white poodle, Max, recovering from a broken finger and struggling to feel comfortable walking in her neighbourhood.

“I haven’t walked in my neighbourhood since,” she said. “I go to my car and that’s it.”

Neilson said she and her friend, Michelle, had finished dinner and taken their dogs out for one last walk that evening. Both pets were on leashes.

As they walked near a church by Bayside Place, Neilson said she saw two men with a dog she identified as a pit bull. The dog ran toward them, she said, before grabbing Max by the stomach and holding him on the ground.

“It happened so fast, I didn’t have a chance to really think about what was happening or going on,” she said.

Neilson said Michelle suffered bites to her hands while trying to get the dog to release Max. When Neilson turned to get to a car so they could take him (Max) to a veterinarian, she fell and broke a finger.

According to Neilson, the men and the dog were gone by the time she returned. 

“I was concentrating on my dog,” she said. “I really wasn’t paying a lot of attention to them.”

Max was initially treated at the Animal Care Centre in Strathmore, where Neilson said staff stabilized him and provided pain medication. Family members then took him to an emergency animal hospital in Calgary.

In an Oct. 1 Facebook post seeking witnesses, Kelly wrote that Max was in intensive care. She later updated the post to say he had died. 

Neilson had brought Max home about three and a half years earlier. She described a companion who loved car trips and enjoyed being around other dogs, including large ones.

His companionship had taken on particular significance after Neilson learned her cancer had returned. 

“I was diagnosed with having my cancer back, and he was gonna be there for me,” she said.

For Kelly, watching her mother cope with the loss and the aftermath of the attack has been difficult. 

“She’s normally a very independent, strong woman, and it’s definitely had an impact,” she said.

Neilson said she now worries when she sees neighbours walking small dogs. 

Both ladies and their family are new to the Strathmore community so walking Max had helped her get to know people in the community. Since the attack, those familiar encounters have become reminders of what happened.

Kelly has organized a GoFundMe “Justice for Darlene and Max” to help with veterinary expenses which exceed $11,000, expenses incurred from both the veterinary clinic in Strathmore and Calgary. 

The family is also asking anyone who witnessed the attack or has firsthand information to come forward.

The case originally was reported to the Strathmore RCMP detachment and later was transferred to local Strathmore Municipal Enforcement. 

At the time of publication, Strathmore Municipal Enforcement had not returned our email for comment on the incident.

Neilson wants the dog’s owner held accountable. She also hopes the dog can be placed with someone able to train and care for it properly. 

“I don’t believe in killing animals or hurting animals,” she said.

For now, she is managing her recovery and the loss of a companion she had expected to have beside her through another difficult chapter. 

“One day at a time,” she said.

The family’s fundraiser is available at gofund.me/1e90d4765.