Dog dies after a vicious attack in Mississauga

A vicious dog attack has claimed the life of a dog in Mississauga.

A large dog, later identified as a cane corso mix, attacked a much smaller dog on Thursday evening in the Glen Erin Drive and Folkway Drive area of Mississauga.

Jennifer Ashley told INsauga.com she was walking her bichon frisé dogs — Milo and Jasper, brothers, who are nearly two years old — just after 6:30 p.m.

They were coming off the McCauley Green trail when Ashley spotted a couple with a large dog.

“When I was coming up the hill, I had noticed that an elderly couple had their dog that they were looking after and at that point, it looked like they were correcting him or her,” Ashley said.

Ashley decided to cross the road for safety reasons. Jasper growled and the couple appeared to lose control of the large dog, she said. Jasper got out of his harness and ran back home unhurt.

But before she knew it, the large dog had latched onto Milo, Ashley said. He wasn’t able to escape from the dog, which Ashley estimates was about 100 pounds.

Many people rushed out to help, trying to get the large dog off Milo, she said.

“No sooner did I start screaming and people were coming from all directions,” she said. “I guess they heard the commotion, my scream. Because I was just hysterical trying to get him off Milo.”

One witness shared a story on Reddit, describing it as a “vicious dog attack.”

“At least 10 people there trying to help get the dog under control and to get my dog out of there,” Ashley said.

Ashley said she was not sure how the large dog, who was on a leash when she first saw them, got away from the couple.

Eventually, people were able to control the large dog and get Milo to Ashley. She said someone drove her to an emergency vet clinic, but after Milo was assessed, she learned the injuries were too severe.

“We had to make the decision to put him down because there was no way he would survive it,” she said.

Ashley said she has spoken with Peel Regional Police, and City of Mississauga Animal Services was also contacted.

Animal Services confirmed in an email to INsauga.com they attended a call along with Peel Regional Police on Thursday night at approximately 7 p.m. on Folkway Drive.

They responded to a report that a large breed dog had attacked a small breed dog, the city spokesperson said. Animal Services has taken the case over from police and is actively investigating the matter.

Ashley said she wants something done and plans to contact a lawyer. She believes the dog doesn’t belong to the elderly couple and they shouldn’t have been caring for the dog.

“This should never have happened,” she said. “There was no way they could have kept that dog under control.”

She has heard the large dog is back with its owner and under quarantine, but he is allowed to be walked.

“I’m trying to find ways to avoid this dog,” Ashley said. “But I can’t because I’m terrified. Because I now know what this dog is capable of. And unfortunately, I don’t trust the owner.”

Ashley has started a GoFundMe to help cover legal costs.