Kits Beach dog death sends shockwaves through Langara

Almost a week has passed since an incident at Kitsilano Beach where a six-year-old pit bull was stabbed, but it’s still fresh in many minds.

Accounts of exactly what happened last Wednesday afternoon vary, but perhaps the lone indisputable fact is that a dog was killed, and her owner now suddenly finds herself without a pet.

The confrontation reportedly stemmed from an altercation between the now-deceased pit bull, identified as Pandora by her owner, and a smaller pug, being walked by a 72-year-old man.

Students support Pandora

At some point during the tussle between the two canines, the man pulled out a knife of some description and stabbed Pandora to death, with the defence that his own dog was in danger. Whether or not that’s true, support at Langara College amongst pet owners seems to be in Pandora’s corner.

“I don’t think there is any excuse for killing an animal,” said Lexie Timmins, a third-year student at Langara and self-professed “animal lover,” with two dogs and a cat in her household.

“It’s disgusting what happened, and I read that [police] aren’t going to press charges,” she added.

“The man’s dog was the aggressor,” said Martin Motaya, also a third-year student at Langara, alluding to a report that the situation arose from the pug barking at Pandora. “At least that is what it sounds like.”

No charges expected

As Timmins noted, police issued a release late last Wednesday after the incident occurred, stating that the matter is being handled and at this time, charges against the man aren’t being considered. According to Pandora’s owner, the senior’s pug was also off of its leash at the time of the attack.

Catherine Weller regularly walks her young puppy in and around the Langara campus, and believes both owners in question hold some responsibility for what happened.

“The pit bull’s death probably wasn’t necessary,” said Weller. “But it doesn’t sound like either of them had control of the situation.”

Reported by Quinn Mell-Cobb