Dogs killed boy, grieving Sask. reserve says

Members of a Saskatchewan First Nation are mourning the death of a 10-year-old boy they believe was killed by dogs.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Chief Guy Lariviere of Canoe Lake Cree Nation said the small community is pulling together to help the family deal with losing Keith Iron.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of this young boy in our community," Lariviere said. "Our condolences go out to the family."

Police found the boy's body in a yard on the reserve at about 11:25 a.m. local time Saturday. Three dogs were "disturbing the body" when it was discovered, the RCMP said.

Although the corner's office is investigating the cause of death, Lariviere and others on the reserve said the dogs killed the boy. He was attacked while walking to his cousin's house, the chief said.

The dogs were domestic animals and the owners had been told to keep them tied up, Lariviere said.

Lariviere expressed frustration at trying to enforce dog-control bylaws on the reserve, which is about 450 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

The problem of dogs running loose is common on Saskatchewan reserves, particularly in the north.

In 2007, a five-year-old child was killed by a dog on Cumberland House First Nation.

Boy needed 60 stitches after attack

In September 2009, Angela McKay's six-year-old son, Shiloh, was attacked by dogs in the nearby town of Ile-a-la-Crosse. He was bitten several times and needed 60 stitches on his face.

Today, Shiloh is the same happy child he was before the attack, his mother said.

But McKay, who wept when she heard about Keith Iron, said too many people in northern Saskatchewan don't take care of their dogs.

"These animals are running loose," she said. "And they're starving and freezing and they go into packs so they can have a stronger force and a better chance at survival. It's really awful."

Northern Saskatchewan MLA Buckley Belanger said small northern communities can't afford to hire dog catchers or veterinarians to sterilize the animals.

As a result, many communities will now have to take extreme action, Belanger said.

"I just think that people have to have no tolerance for dogs that are at large," said Belanger, the NDP member for Athabasca constituency.

"Just simply destroy them on site. I think that's the safest way to deal with them. Because if the funding is not there, that's the only alternative that people have."

Jeremy Harrison, provincial minister of municipal affairs, said the legislature will consider a bill this spring that would give peace officers the authority to destroy animals that are neglected and a threat to the community.