Samantha Mekanak says aggressive dogs that attack people should be put down.
Nearly a week after her 11-year-old-son was taken to the hospital Mekanak said Thursday that Dante was healing well and would have his 65 stitches taken out within a week or so. She said her son is only taking over the counter painkillers and is continuing treatment for rabies.
Dante had climbed over hockey boards at Tarbutt Park, unaware there were dogs in an enclosed rink area. A larger dog, believed to be a boxer, allegedly attacked him.
Thunder Bay Police Service officers charged 56-year-old Frank Vantrova with criminal negligence causing bodily harm. The city’s licensing and enforcement division also charged with failure to leash and license the animal.
The city is requesting the dog be euthanized.
“It is kind of hard for us to decide whether or not we want the dog put down or not because we also have a dog,” Mekanak said. “For me, if you know the dog is aggressive and you know it has bitten someone once before then I think it would be safer to put the dog down.”
Since the attack, Mekanak said her son has been dealing with the aftermath as best he can. She described her son as having his heart on his sleeve and hasn’t talked much since the incident happened.
But support from the community has started to pour in.
She said people have come up to her son to shake his hand and give their well wishes. While visiting Intercity Shopping Centre a security guard came up to Dante and asked for his autograph.
Mekanak said that was a special moment for her son.
“It means so much for us, especially for Dante, that we know that there’s so many people behind him,” she said. “We tried to explain to him that you shouldn’t be afraid, no one is mad at you and it wasn’t your fault and you did nothing wrong. It has really helped a lot and I think it is bringing his spirit up.”
Mekanak added that if anyone wishes to get in contact with her they can email her at [email protected].
