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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 24, 2007 - 5 Pit bull bites off Lab's ear lobe By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF What should have been a simple Sunday walk in the park turned into a nightmare for an Oakville man when his chocolate Labrador retriever/hound had its ear partially bitten off during a violent encounter with a pit bull. Brian Norton and his dog Mariaus had been Brian Norton enjoying the off-leash area of Bronte Park and were returning to the parking lot when they encountered two men, one with a black poodle, the other with a tan coloured pit bull, which Norton says was leashed, but not muzzled. "My dog went up to see the poodle, which was the only dog I could see because it was a distance away. He then went to see the pit bull and the pit bull bit off about 20 per cent of my dog's ear," said Norton. "It was one snap, just like that." The incident took place so quickly that Norton did not initially realize the extent of his dog's injury and allowed the man with the pit bull to walk away. "What I remember was the owner walking by me with the pit bull and said, `I guess that will teach you for not having your dog on a leash around mine,'" said Norton. It was only when the men were gone that Norton noticed Mariaus was bleeding profusely, with blood literally spraying from what remained of his right ear. Wasting no time Norton rushed his dog to the park office where officials attempted to bandage his wound. They quickly found the damage was too great for the first aid they had on hand, so Norton was advised to take Mariaus to a local veterinarian. "They had to put him under and remove more of his ear because it was a jagged tear," said Norton. "Then they stitched him up." While Mariaus is now on the road to recovery, his owner remains filled with concern over the possibility that such an attack could happen again and be much worse next time if the pit bull's owner does not muzzle his animal. "My kid often goes to the park with me. Maybe it was a one time thing, but to do it like that, it's just amazing how quickly these things can do so much damage," said Norton. The Oakville and District Humane Society also has concerns about the incident and is currently looking for the pit bull and its owner. "All pit bulls are required to wear a muzzle when they're off their property," said Chris Mulhern, Provincial Officer, Oakville and District Humane Society. "There are charges under the Dog Owners' Liability Act for dogs not wearing their muzzles. It basically is a summons to court for such an offence." Norton hopes the humane society will succeed in finding the owner, but Norton is also hopeful that the man, who may not realize the extent of what happened, will compensate Norton for the incident by paying the $550 veterinarian bill he had to pay to address his pet's injury. "It really bothers me because besides the trauma to my dog, my kids had to see me covered in blood, the back seat of my car was absolutely soaked in blood and my pants were soaked in blood," said Norton. With legislation banning pit bulls in Ontario and placing requirements, such as sterilization and the wearing of muzzles, on existing ones, there is no shortage of controversy and debate as to the Quality Pre-owned Vehicles Our Selection is Bigger & Better than Ever '07 Subaru A.W.D. Wagon Fully equipped, includes A.B.S. side airbags & more. Must see, new car trade, only 6,000 kms. Stk.# U5290. 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