A serious dog attack in East London, Ontario, is raising concerns over animal control enforcement after city officials confirmed the three rottweilers involved were already known to authorities and were under a muzzle order at the time of the incident.
The attack happened Monday afternoon near Thompson Road Park, close to Jacqueline and Ada streets, where witnesses described a terrifying scene as a young woman was mauled by the dogs in public.
Police and emergency crews were called to the area after reports that the woman, believed by witnesses to be around 19 years old, had suffered severe injuries during the attack.
Witness Amber Lee Biggs said she heard desperate screams for help before discovering the woman surrounded by the dogs.
“I heard a horrible cry for help,” she said.
“I found a woman with three dogs attacking her.”
Biggs said she shouted at the animals in an attempt to scare them away from the victim.
Police later issued a public warning after the dogs were reportedly seen loose in the neighbourhood north of Gladstone Avenue following the attack.
In a statement released Tuesday, the City of London confirmed that all three dogs had been captured and secured at the London Animal Care Centre.
Officials also revealed the dogs were already known to animal control officers and had previously been placed under a muzzle order, raising fresh questions about how the attack was able to happen despite earlier intervention.
Authorities have not yet released details about the dogs’ owner or whether any charges could follow. The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Residents who witnessed the aftermath described the injuries as severe and traumatic. Area resident Victor Dikih said the woman appeared badly hurt when emergency crews arrived.
“She looked pretty bad. Her bone was showing on her leg,”
he said.
Another witness, Karen Ramsay, described multiple visible bite wounds on the victim’s body.
“She had bite marks. Flesh was taken away from her leg, and there were injuries on her shoulder and neck,”
Ramsay said.
The incident has sparked wider concerns among local residents about dangerous dogs and whether existing animal control measures are strong enough to protect the public.
London police referred further questions regarding the dogs and possible charges to the City of London’s Animal Care and Control Division.
City officials said the case remains under investigation and that no additional information is being released at this stage.
The attack has also renewed debate around enforcement of muzzle orders and the responsibilities of dog owners when dealing with potentially dangerous animals.
Residents in the area say the incident has left many people shaken, particularly because the attack happened in a public park during the daytime.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to review whether current animal control policies were properly followed before the attack occurred.
