'I felt like the wildebeest in National Geographic': Cyclist recounts wild dog attack
Neighbours east of Dorchester are demanding action after an alleged attack by dogs.
This week, a cyclist was bitten while riding through the area.
It is not the first alleged incident.
The dogs, some call strays, others dub wild, have been spotted running loose in a rural area between Marion and Catherine Streets, east of Highway 73.
“They’re hungry and running self-sufficiently over the land here. I don’t think somebody properly feeds them,” resident David Sudan told CTV News London.
Sudan said his chickens were attacked, so he started carrying an air horn on his property.
David Sudan, seen on May 3, 2024, has taken to carrying an air horn with him when he goes outside out of fear an alleged pack of wild dogs could attack him or his livestock. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Just 24 hours later, the dogs returned.
“The second day, I met them personally. I tried to get rid of them with my shovel,” he said.
Dorchester cyclist Mark Hemmings had a close encounter with a pack of dogs last summer. However, this past Monday, he could not get away.
While riding on Marion Street, he spotted multiple dogs.
Two broke away from the pack and took positions on either side of his bicycle.
“And all of a sudden, the one on the right jumps up and he latches onto my thigh,” explained Hemings. “And that’s when all of a sudden I felt like the wildebeest in the National Geographic.”
Bleeding, Hemmings managed to pedal for another 500 metres before the dogs broke off their pursuit, “That's when I decided to call the OPP and let them know what had happened.”
Bite marks are seen on the leg of Mark Hemmings of Dorchester, Ont., on May 3, 2024. He was attacked by dogs on April 29, 2024, while riding in an area where many residents contend a pack of wild dogs is roaming free. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Hemmings said a police officer confirmed there was an open investigation file.
But neither he nor Sudan are confident quick action will be taken.
“The whole system here seems to be office ping-pong,” said Sudan. “From bylaw, to the OPP, to the ministry, nobody really wants to touch the matter.”
Sudan worries a lack of action could lead to more serious dog attacks, like one in Edmonton a month ago.
“And it has happened already in another province. A child has been mauled to death,” said Sudan.
A fear shared by Hemmings. He is back cycling, but not without flashbacks, “If I had wobbled a bit, or fallen over, well, I don’t think anything is stopping them.”
The Municipality of Thames Centre said it is aware of roaming dog reports and is working with police and animal care agencies.
A security camera catches three of several dogs attacking a chicken pen on the property of David Sudan. (Source: Submitted)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Don Valley Parkway cleanup will take hours after heavy flooding in Toronto, city says
It’s going to take hours for the Don Valley Parkway to be cleared after heavy rainfall flooded the Greater Toronto Area with almost 100 millimetres of rain on Tuesday, according to the city.
Toronto flooding: Pictures, videos show heavy rainfall today in downtown core
Toronto was pounded by torrential rain Tuesday afternoon and pictures and video are showing the extent of the flooding in the city’s downtown core and beyond.
'Something you'd see in a hurricane:' Toronto saw more than a month's worth of rain in three hours
In the span of three hours, Toronto was hit by three thunderstorms, bringing a record amount of rain that caused massive flooding across the city, according to a senior meteorologist with Environment Canada.
Why fewer fans are showing up for Saskatchewan Roughrider games
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have one of the strongest fan bases in the league but are having a tough time filling their stadium this year.
Who is Usha Vance, the wife of Trump's running mate?
JD Vance has had several introductions to the American people: as the author of a memoir on what ails the White working class, as a newly elected Republican senator in his home state of Ohio and, on Monday, as his party’s nominee for vice president. His wife, Usha, has been by his side through it all.
Canada drops $9M on NYC luxury condo for consul general's official residence
Canada spent $9 million last month to buy a luxury condo in Manhattan for the official residence for its consul general in New York but the federal government is refusing to say what is being done with the old property.
Freeland has 'confidence,' but wouldn't say whether PM has promised her job is safe
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says she feels that she has the confidence she needs to carry on in her role as finance minister, but won't say whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has offered her any specific assurances.
Defence spending in the North could be 'generational opportunity': Nunavut premier
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok says the federal government's commitments to boosting defence spending, specifically in the North, could be a 'generational opportunity' for the people who live there.
B.C. youth representative says official inaction led to boy's torturous death in foster care
British Columbia's representative for children and youth is calling for a complete overhaul of the province's foster care model following the torture and death of an 11-year-old boy in 2021.