Toronto man wants tougher breed bans after neighbour's dog kills his pet

A Toronto man wants the city to consider banning canine breeds with a history of aggression after his beloved 12-year-old Havanese was fatally mauled by another dog in their condo.

JonDunnill'ssister-in-law had been drying off the family's dogs on Tuesday night when his neighbour's dog charged down the hallway and pushed its way into the condo, he said Wednesday.

• John Nunziata says Ontario should consider repealing pit bull ban

The dog grabbed April, Dunnill's Havanese, in its mouth and began violently shaking her.

"I started to punch it and kick it, but they don't let go," Dunnillsaid.

"It was literally seconds, but it was too late. She was just ripped open."

The dog involved in the attack has been seized by Animal Services.

Dunnill said officials told him that his neighbour owned an American mastiff but he said he believes the dog looks more like a pitbull, a breed that's been banned in Ontario since 2005.

Either way, he would like to see the city or the province reconsider its position on the types of dog breeds that people can legally own.

CBC News tried to contact the neighbour involved, but has yet to receive a response.

The city will conduct a behavioural assessment on the animal that killed Dunnill's dog, Animal Services told CBC. Depending on the outcome, the dog will be destroyed or its owner could face a fine.

What an owner can do

If another dog attacks your petit's best not to get in between the two animals, a trainer who specializes in working with aggressive dog breeds said.

Rob Kirkwood said getting between fighting dogs could result in serious injuries.

Kirkwood suggests dog owners instead carry a spray bottle at the dog park or when going for a walk.

"A little bit of citronella the same thing we use at the cottage to stop mosquitos could stop a potential dog fight," he said.