12/24/2022
A Doggy Christmas
This fall the office was approached by clients whose dog had been apprehended by animal control. There was an allegation that the dog had attacked a person walking on the street, and animal control believed that it couldn’t be any other dog. The city was taking the position that the dog was required to be destroyed. The clients believed it was another dog that attacked, as their dog was inside at the time.
Our articling student, Vanessa Roberts, immediately wanted to help these clients. Vanessa is a dog owner herself, and during her articles has primarily been learning criminal defence law. Although neither Maya or Blaine had experience with bylaw court, we encouraged Vanessa to take on their case and we would provide advice and support.
Vanessa took the case to trial, and successfully challenged the allegation that her client’s dog was the dog that attacked the passerby. She marshaled evidence that showed it was a different dog that had attacked the passerby.
On December 22nd Vanessa’s clients had their dog returned to them, just in time to spend Christmas with the family!
