YELLOWKNIFE - Amy and Troy Penney, new residents to Yellowknife, were walking at Cameron Falls on Sunday for the first time with their dog, Ben, when a large unleashed dog attacked them.

Amy Penney, her dog Ben, and husband Troy (not pictured) were attacked at Cameron Falls over the weekend by a loose dog. - Laura Power/NNSL photo

Troy, who defended his three-year-old, 30 lb. part border collie, was bitten on the hand, and Amy said he was still bleeding the next day.

She said the dog, which she estimates weighed about 120 lbs, came straight for their dog, attacking him and leaving him frightened.

"He was traumatized, he wouldn't move," she said.

"For a couple of days he wouldn't get up - he wouldn't even get up on the couch."

The Penneys question how strictly pet control in parks is being enforced.

Philip Lee, tourism superintendent for the North Slave, said they do not condone letting dogs run free in the parks.

"We can't be out there all the time checking these things, but there is a responsibility to keep your dog under care," he said. "If a complaint was filed we would certainly investigate it."

Fines for letting a dog to run loose in territorial parks is $50 plus an $8 surcharge, he said.

Penney feels more should be done by those who are meant to enforce the rule.

"Why can't they be on foot or on bikes on the trail?" she asked.

She also suggested that an enclosed dog park would be a good idea for dog owners who wish to let dogs run free.

Penney said before they went to the park, they looked at the park's Website to check if leashes were mandatory, and found that they were.

Lee said the rule states dogs must be on a leash or under direct physical control.

Penney said Ben is feeling better now, but wonders if he will continue to be afraid of other dogs. Earlier this month, resident Sharon Low and her husband Floyd Powder complained to Yellowknifer after an unleashed dog attacked their son while picking up their daughter from J.H. Sissons school. A good Samaritan was able to shield the child from injury.