The Peterborough Examiner e-edition

‘They’re going to kill me’: Skier recounts dog attack

BRENDAN BURKE

A Selwyn Township woman says she’s lucky to be alive after a vicious dog attack north of Youngs Point left her bloodied, bruised and traumatized.

On the afternoon of Jan. 16, Cheryl Gow was cross-country skiing on Clear Lake, near Freeburn Lane, when she encountered three dogs — unleashed and without collars — near their owner, who was outside her residence.

“They were posturing at me; they were nipping at me and I did my best to get them to stay down but one came around to the back of me so I was surrounded,” recalled Gow.

“I was just feeling this incredible doom.”

That’s when the dogs lunged at her.

“They just started jumping. They were biting, biting. I got knocked down by them,” Gow told The Examiner.

In an attempt to shield herself, Gow assumed the fetal position, wrapping her arms around her head as the biting continued.

Gow says the owner attempted to pull the dogs away, but without any leashes or collars, she struggled to put an end to the attack.

“These dogs were in a frenzy; just wild. I yelled at (the owner) ‘They’re going to kill me.’ I’m curling up thinking ‘I’m 60 years old. Is this how it’s ending? Is this it?’ I’m having visions of never seeing my kids again.”

Ed Dillon, a Clear Lake resident, witnessed the attack unfold from his window. He rushed out onto the ice — with a hockey stick in hand. The dog owner eventually hauled one of the dogs away.

In the meantime, Dillon — joined by his paddle-wielding wife and another neighbour who rushed to the scene — yelled and swung at the dogs, doing his best to get between the dogs and Gow.

Dillon believes at least two of the dogs were Bull Terrier crosses.

“The owner was able to get the dogs one by one into her house and then we brought (Gow) into our house,” Dillon said. “She was covered in blood.”

Gow estimates the attack lasted about 15 minutes — “forever” for her.

“It was the best feeling in the world to know I was safe,” Gow said.

She was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Part of her ear was ripped off, her hair was torn out and she was treated for dozens of bite wounds on her legs, arms, back, shoulder and head.

Gow received about 40 stitches in all.

As Gow begins her physical recovery, she worries about the lasting emotional impact of the traumatic attack.

“I’m going to be ruined. I’m an athlete. I love to go out riding my bike by myself. I can’t imagine how I can just put this behind me,” she said.

By sharing her story, Gow hopes to spread awareness about potential dangers and to remind dog owners of the important responsibility they hold.

Gow said she would like to see charges laid in relation to the attack.

In an email to The Examiner, Const. Joseph Ayotte of the Peterborough County OPP said any applicable charges would be laid under the Dog Owner Liability Act.

The OPP is continuing to investigate the attack alongside the Peterborough Humane Society animal services department.

Given the severity of the attack — Gow notes a child could have been killed — she wants to see the dogs removed from the property on Clear Lake. According to Gow, the three dogs still remain at the residence.

Details about the investigation cannot be shared due to its active status, a representative from the Peterborough Humane Society said.

As Gow recovers, she’s thankful for Dillon’s quick-thinking.

“(Dillon) is a hero. I look at the man and I just break into tears. I can’t believe what he did.”

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2022-01-26T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-26T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://thepeterboroughexaminer.pressreader.com/article/281517934506138

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