THUNDER BAY -- The verdict in a trial for a man charged in a dog-bite incident likely won’t come until the spring.
Frank Vantroba, 59, faces a charge of criminal negligence causing bodily harm after his Old English bulldog allegedly bit a young boy in the face on Nov. 17, 2012 at Tarbutt Park.
Closing submissions were to be heard Thursday at the Thunder Bay Courthouse, but had been submitted earlier in the week.
The case will be back in court on Jan. 26, 2015 where a date for judgment will be set. Crown lawyer Deb Kinsella said that may not be until March.
Through testimony heard throughout the trial in October, it’s alleged that Dante Mekanak, 13, jumped into the boarded rink area in Tarbutt Park while racing his friend on the day of the incident.
He didn’t notice there was a man and four dogs inside the rink area until he was in the area himself and as he was running across, a large bulldog ran toward him and then jumped up and bit the boy on the face, requiring Dante to receive 65 stitches.
Vantroba said he was training his four dogs – an adult male, adult female and two puppies – inside the rink at the time of the incident.
It’s alleged the accused did not offer assistance to the boy.
None of the allegations against the accused have been proven in court.
