The mother of a nine-year-old Calgary boy is calling for a province-wide ban on pit bull terriers and rottweilers.
Dakota Van Diest Pollon was attacked by a pit bull last month while at the home of his sister's boyfriend.
The boyfriend wasn't home at the time and the sister eventually mustered up the strength to pull off the dog.
By the time is was over, Dakota needed surgery and more than 300 stitches.
"I honestly thought he was on his death bed. It looked so horrific," says Angie Pollon, Dakota's mother.
Surgeons say the nine-year-old came within an inch of losing his life.
Dakota has a long recovery ahead of him as he tries to heal from more than the physical wounds. "Every night I wake up and see pit bulls surrounding my whole bed, everywhere, they're jumping up and barking at me," says Dakota.
The three-year-old pit bull had never attacked before. At the owner's request, he was put down on Tuesday.
Dakota's mother is now calling for a provincial ban on pit bulls and rottweilers. She wants them to be labeled dangerous dogs like they are in Ontario. "I would say to any pit bull owner that they're harbouring a killer," says Pollon.
Officials with Calgary Bylaw Services say the city will not be advocating for a ban because it believes the owner is at fault, not the breed. "This is a behaviour issue, not a breed issue," says Greg Steinraths.
"We look at the whole philosophy. We make sure the dog is licenced, spayed, neutered, they need proper training and care and ensure they do not become a nuisance or threat," says Steinraths.
Bylaw Services says its policies do work and adds that Calgary has less dog bites per capita than other cities around the world.
The province also says it is not considering a ban on pit bulls.
