Farm owners devastated after livestock killed in dog attack

Mélissa Gélinas

Lise R. Soucie and her husband, Larry Soucie, say they were confronted with a devastating scene after three of their pigs and a calf were killed by two dogs belonging to a neighbour. The incident occurred overnight on Feb. 26 at their property on chemin Morrissette in Mansfield. “That morning, my husband went to the barn to take care of the animals and noticed an unusual silence,” said Soucie. “Normally, the pigs make noise when we come in, and we can see the cats.” He then discovered the three pigs, covered in bite wounds, followed by the calf.

The couple believes the dogs entered through a small opening in the barricaded doors intended for their cats, then broke through the wooden enclosure fence to access the animals.

Losses are estimated at more than $5,000. “This is our livelihood, and we put a lot of work into it,” she said, noting her husband, 65, continues to devote his energy to the farm despite health issues.

Soucie said the dogs had been seen on their property before. In November, one allegedly nearly attacked her granddaughter while visiting the chickens before being driven off. “These dogs roam everywhere and are very aggressive,” she said.

She added that neighbours have also reported seeing the dogs, which allegedly damaged property and left waste behind. Several cats are also believed to have been killed. One neighbour told Soucie the dogs are believed to have killed all of her grandfather’s cats.

The couple contacted the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), but no criminal charges were laid. Police attempted to speak with the neighbour, who refused to cooperate. “The SQ told us that since animals attacked other animals, there was nothing they could do,” Soucie said.

However, the dog owner was fined $1,144 under municipal bylaws for allowing the animals to roam off his property without restraint. According to SQ spokesperson Marc Tessier, no measures such as a leash or fence were in place to prevent the dogs from leaving the property.

According to Soucie, a patrol officer with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) later attended the residence and observed the dogs covered in blood. Soucie says the neighbour admitted to the officer that the dogs were responsible.

“The officer advised him to make arrangements with us to cover the cost of our animals,” Soucie told the Post, adding the neighbour has refused further communication.

While MRC Pontiac has an agreement with the SPCA for animal control, director general Kim Lesage said the MRC had not received any information about the incident. The SPCA patrol officer declined to comment and the Post was unable to reach the dog owner despite multiple calls.

Trans.: PJ

Damage to the livestock enclosure where the dogs are believed to have entered. (Lise Soucie)