Family of Montreal woman mauled to death by dog 'disappointed' owner won't be charged

The sister of a Montreal woman who was mauled to death by her neighbour's dog earlier this year says sheand her family are "very, very disappointed" the dog's owner won't face any charges.

ChristianeVadnais, 55, was killed in her Pointe-aux-Tremblesbackyard in June.

The dog that attacked her may have been a pit bull.

Police had said not long afterVadnaisdied that thedog's owner, Franklin Junior Frontal,could be charged withcriminal negligence.

• 'Little ray of sunshine': Christiane Vadnais, killed indog attack, laid to rest

But Jean-PascalBoucher, Crown spokesperson, confirmed Wednesdaythat "after arigorousanalysis," the prosecution won't lay charges. Frontalwon't be charged.

• Neighbour describes dog attack on woman killed in her backyard

Couldn't prove negligence

In an interview on Radio-Canada's Gravel le matin, LiseVadnais said police and a prosecutormet with the family and explained that their problem was with provingcriminal intent.

They were told that in order to move forward with lay charges, the Crown would have had to prove Frontal was aware of the danger the dog posed and negligent about it.

She said it's clear the dog was dangerous, butit's still unclear how the dog escaped Frontal's house and got into her yard.

Lawyer AudreyAmzallag, who is representing the dog'sowner, has saidher client left his dog inside the house and went to school theday Vadnais died.

Lise Vadnais also said the familywas told the dog wore a muzzle when people came over because ithadbitten people before.

"When a dog gets to the point where it bites and has to wear a muzzle in its house, maybe it's time to ask if it's normal to have a dog like that," she said.

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Quebec needs better laws, sister says

Lise Vadnais and her family areworried about the message the decision not to lay chargessends to owners of dangerous dogs, particularly of pit bulls.

"For me, it's our laws that aren't strict enough, that won't force people be responsible for their animals," she said.

Police officers had to shoot and kill it in order to reach Vadnais safely.

Vadnais's death spurredthe adoption of Montreal's revamped animal control bylaw that included sections banning new ownership of pit bull-type dogs.

Those sections are being contested in court.

Speaking to reporters at City Hall, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderresaid he believes that if the bylawwere in effect the outcome may have been different for Vadnais.

"I feel even stronger about the bylaw we've put forward," said Coderre.

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