A Richmond resident who was almost attacked by one of two dogs that have been at large for weeks thinks more warnings should be given to community members.
Viki Van Deursen was walking her small dog in the park at Garden City Road and Granville Avenue on May 31 when one of the dogs, which had a leash hanging off its collar, charged at her while barking.
Van Deursen and her dog managed to get out unscathed, but she saw the dog again on Tuesday, this time inside the playground.
"The second time I saw (the dog), I was trying to shepherd all these Chinese seniors out of the (playground)," she said, adding she had to explain the situation to them in Mandarin.
The Richmond News reported last week that the BC SPCA is working on humanely trapping two big dogs at large in the park.
Van Deursen told the News the dog was "extremely frustrated-looking" and appeared to be starving, after seeing it sniff around one of BC SPCA's traps in the park.
With a child who goes to a nearby school, Van Deursen is concerned about the safety of students who go to the park for field trips. She also thinks more needs to be done to warn the neighbours.
"Because it's a very heavily Chinese language-speaking part of Richmond, unless something is being posted on Chinese social media, (the residents) don't know," she explained.
She added the fact that some people walk their dogs off-leash in the park is also a problem.
"So anyone who doesn't know (about the dogs) thinks this is just a neighbour letting their dogs off leash," said Van Deursen.
Dog capture still in progress
In an update to the News, BC SPCA confirmed its animal control team first received reports of the dogs on May 8. The two dogs have been at large for "several weeks."
The first call about them "more closely approaching humans and pets" came last week, which prompted BC SPCA to issue a public warning.
"Stray animals can act unpredictably out of fear, hunger or even pain if they’re injured, so there is always risk involved when animals are at large – both to people and to the animal(s) in question," explained BC SPCA.
"This is why it is so important that members of the public do not try to approach."
BC SPCA staff started patrolling the park regularly since the first report and "several larger parties have attended over the past week," said BC SPCA.
Staff made "very good progress building trust with one of the dogs" on Wednesday night, it added.
After the News spoke to Van Deursen, the City of Richmond put up a sign in the park on Thursday morning to inform community members of the dog capture operation.
"Dog capture in progress. Do not disturb equipment," reads the English signage. It also warned community members not to feed or interact with the dogs.
BC SPCA staff also returned with more supplies to set up a trap for the dogs.
In addition to the public warning issued last week, BC SPCA told the News the city also reached out to nearby schools and daycares to inform them of the dogs and provide information for safety precautions.
"It is very important that members of the public do not attempt to feed the dogs and do not approach them or try to leash them," said the BC SPCA.
"While we appreciate that the community wants to help, this can put both human and the dogs’ safety at risk and can be extremely detrimental to our ongoing efforts to bring these dogs into care."
Community members who see the dogs are asked to report sightings to 604-709-4668.
The News has reached out to the city to inquire whether it has plans for other measures to warn the public.
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