I write to share my thanks to all the community members who helped following a dog attack on Feb. 12 in Gordon Head.

What was a normal walk with our family dog, Simon, turned into a traumatic incident when an unleashed pitbull or pitbull cross attacked without warning.

As I screamed for help, somehow I got both dogs on Shelbourne Street into traffic. A couple stopped their car and bravely stepped up, hitting the attacking dog with a cane to get it off Simon.

Neighbours, one even without shoes on, came to help me hold the dog and to support.

The owner and staff of Kinetic K9 deserve special thanks for getting Simon and me to a nearby vet clinic so Simon could be assisted. As well, Saanich police and Capital Regional District bylaw officers came out within minutes to maintain everyone’s safety.

Thank you to all my heroes and neighbours for doing what you did. Words can’t express the depth of feeling I hold.

Sadly, Simon had to be euthanized due to his injuries.

I believe the outcome would have been much worse without the immediate, unquestioning help that we received.

I was moments away from trying to kick the attacking dog and likely would have been injured.

In the immediate aftermath, in shock, I didn’t have the presence of mind to gather more info from everyone that helped us.

But I want to publicly thank everyone for their bravery and their actions on that day.

It is never good when something like this happens, but it truly shows the brave, kind people that I am grateful to call my neighbours, and that when law and bylaw enforcement are needed, they are there, too.

Thank you all.

Susan Paton

Saanich

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When someone does or suggests something most people think goes against the grain of what society accepts as normal and good, we........

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