Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Friday, August 08, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Pam MacQuarrie's cherished pet rabbit met a horrific and unforeseeable end last week when a stray dog jumped the fence around her Con Mine area home and attacked it.

MacQuarrie said there had been a dog running loose in the neighbourhood that she had twice previously chased away.

She said her husband was home when he heard Mason, their rabbit, crying.

He found the medium-sized black dog had jumped the fence and attacked Mason.

MacQuarrie said by the time she got home from work Mason had died.

"The dog hadn't even left the yard," she said. "That was (Mason's) space. He should have been safe."

MacQuarrie said she and her husband had Mason and a second rabbit, Morgan, for close to five years.

"We've both taken the loss very, very hard," she said.

Janet Pacey, president of the NWT SPCA, said the news of the rabbit's death was upsetting.

"This is a prime example of why dogs should be restrained at all times," she said.

MacQuarrie said there are often dogs running loose in her area.

"People let their dogs run loose ... not realizing there are smaller animals that need protection," she said.

She said she and her husband no longer leave their second rabbit, Morgan, outside without supervision.

MacQuarrie said she has not yet contacted bylaw officers about the incident.

Doug Gillard, manager of municipal enforcement, said the fine for a dog at large is $75 for a first offence.

If an incident with a stray dog has more severe circumstances, the owners could be taken to court, where the fine would be up to the Justice of the Peace to decide.

"Depending on the circumstances the fine could be up to $2,000," he said.