The fate of two young Newfoundland dogs from Black Creek has attracted attention from as far away as England and Australia.
Chum and Champ, owned by Black Creek couple Edith and Jacques Manseau, have been held at the Comox Valley SPCA following seizure spurred from a Jan. 5 complaint of a vicious dog attack against a neighbouring Jack Russell Terrier.
A decision about whether Chum and Champ should be put down or returned to their owners is scheduled for Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Courtenay courthouse.
Comments have been posted on the Comox Valley Record's website. Here's a sampling:
"I agree strongly about owners being responsible for their dogs. I think nine times out of 10, that's the issue, not the dog itself. But after everything during the three-day trial, and the fact that they're Newfoundland dogs, bred to be gentle, I don't believe they harmed the terrier." — Cassandra F.
"I wonder why the Jack Russell and the Newfoundlands weren't properly introduced and socialized. Seems to me if they were already 'friends,' there could be no accusations. Again human error causes dogs' suffering. By the way, I do not believe the Newfies harmed the smaller dog. I believe it's possible the terrier's 'prey' drive and persistence could have lead to it injuring itself by forcing its own way through wire. — Valerie Y.
"I have a little dog as well as Newfoundlands and she would attack other big dogs given the chance, but I don't allow it! It's the owners' fault not the dogs, no matter what size they are. But as always, it's the dogs who suffer." — Jenny B.
"This is disgusting. It is very cruel to put these Newfie owners under this kind of stress. I can just imagine how they feel. A Jack Russell would have to jump in a Newfie's mouth to get hurt by the teeth of such a loving animal, and even then, the Newfie wouldn't bite down." — Sandie R.
"Yes! It would be awesome to continue to have a peaceful, safe neighbourhood where we can enjoy our property and the freedom to safely walk our pets (just like everyone else has). Too bad they didn't get the attending vet to take the stand, I'm sure the results would have been more accurate...The Jack's little body was punctured and torn, he's lucky to have lived..." — Lorraine S.
"Any dog can be an attack dog. Saying a Newfy can't be aggressive is not right. I think if the vet says the dog wasn't hurt by another dog then the case should be closed and done but to say because it's a Newfy that is being accused of attacking it must be false is wrong. All dogs have it in them to attack another dog or a person, it all depends on how they are raised." — Amanda F.