Woman fights to save 2 dogs after biting claim

A Quispamsis mother is fighting to save the lives of her family's two pet dogs aftera neighbour alleged that one of the animals bit her.

Deborah Quenneville-Clairmont arrived at the Hampton provincial courthouse on Tuesday hoping to bring home her two Briard herding dogs, who are being held and may be euthanized after an alleged biting incident.

The town of Quispamsis, which has a zero-tolerance policy for aggressive animals, alleges one of her dogs bit an elderly neighbour earlier this month.

The southern New Brunswick town alleges Quenneville-Clairmont's dogs,Emmett and Bodie, got loose from her yard and bitthe woman.

But it is not known which of the two dogs was involved in the incident.

However,the town's bylaw means both dogs have been seized and could be euthanized.

Quenneville-Clairmont, a mother of six, is fighting the town in court to prevent her family's two dogs from being killed.

"To destroy two animals when you don't even know which one [or] if there was even anything to this," Quenneville-Clairmont said.

"And that they can justify it, killing two family pets who have no history of aggression at all."

The town of Quispamsis is refusing to comment on the ongoing court proceeding.

Emmett and Bodie are being held at a local SPCA and Quenneville-Clairmont is being charged $40 per day to keep the dogs at the facility.

Dogs are 'teddy bears,' neighbour says

Ian Marr, a neighbour, said he is also convinced the dogs are innocent.He describes the two dogs as "teddy bears."

Marr, who has cerebral palsy and other ailments, said he often walked the dogs himself.

The neighbour said the woman who made the complaint came up to him moments after the incident happened on Nov. 1.

"The woman came down the road and said 'a dog bit me.' I saw no marks," Marr said.

"I didn't see any marks. I asked her, 'Can you show me a mark and blood?' There was no blood."