“Exploring the Tragic Case of Kujo: An Unfortunate Outcome of a BC Supreme Court Ruling”

A BC Supreme Court case focused on a dog named Kujo, trying to determine if it was dangerous and should be euthanized.

According to a ruling document detailing the court process, a Port Coquitlam official requested a determination that Kujo, a male pit bull, was a “dangerous dog” defined in the Port Coquitlam City Community Charter and that Kujo should be destroyed .

The dog’s owner, Sharon Bennett, did not attend the hearing but was represented by her attorney, Mr Larmer.

A “dangerous dog” is defined as a dog that has either killed or seriously injured a person or other pet while in a public place or private property not owned by the property or the person responsible for the dog is occupied and an animal is being inspected the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that someone is likely to be killed or seriously injured as a result.

According to the BC Supreme Court document, Kujo has been seized since September 15, 2021 following an incident.

In August 2021, Kujo was walking at large near an elementary school when a passerby named Ms. Smith put him on a spare leash.

“Kujo was startled by a passing man and ran, dragging Ms. Smith across a gravel road.”

Smith had sustained injuries, including bruises and scratches.

On September 15, while being impounded, Kujo attempted to jump on someone employed by Countryside Kennels. A video was recorded showing Kujo’s aggressive behavior. The next day, another staff member at Kujo’s kennel was bitten while trying to take him for a walk, “breaking the nail through the thumb of her left hand.” Kujo then bit her right arm and held it for several seconds.

She “tried to push Kujo away and he lunged at her and tore her shirt.”

Kujo then bit her foot and injured her shin. She was treated at Eagle Ridge Hospital. The court document says she had numbness in her wrists for nearly two months and bruising for several months after the attack.

A shelter attendant brought Kujo to the farm in early August. After petting Kujo “for some time”, the caretaker no longer felt safe and got up to leave when Kujo bit her hand.

The court case also had evidence from a Port Coquitlam Animal Control Enforcement Officer. The troubles date back to 2020, when Kujo was confiscated after biting his owner.

The officer said, “There have been multiple complaints about Kujo that he has been caught running 22 times and people have been bitten four times.”

A tragic aspect of this case is that the dog’s owner is homeless and lives in a camp in Gates Park in Port Coquitlam. Unfortunately, the dog’s owner wasn’t willing to give up Kujo voluntarily, but couldn’t hold Kujo back either because he was homeless.

Ultimately, the BC Court ruled that Kujo was a dangerous dog and should be destroyed through euthanasia.

Source