Winnipeg man issues warning following attack at dog park

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This article was published 05/09/2023 (1004 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg man is warning the St. James community after he was attacked at Bourkevale Dog Park last week.

While taking his dog to the off-leash park at around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, he said a playful encounter between his dog and another ended in violence from the other dog’s owner after the dogs began growling at each other.

“There was a bunch of growling, I don’t think there was any actual biting or anything going on … but we corrected (our dog) and called her to us,” Dustin, who asked only his first name be used because of concerns for his safety, said Monday.

“She was already on her way back to us when the other dog’s owner jumped into the air, grabbing my dog in a headlock and face planting the ground with my dog in his arms.”

Dustin got involved to get the man off his dog and the situation quickly escalated.

“I went to let go and push him away, and he rolled in and jumped head-first into my face and broke my nose. I started bleeding profusely, I was knocked to the ground,” he said. “And as I was getting back up, he put a knife to my neck.”

He said the man threatened to stab him, but then put the knife away and quickly left the dog park with another person. Dustin went to hospital and was treated for a broken nose and bruises.

The Winnipeg Police Service said they were investigating the incident.

“The complainant has reported the incident to police and the matter is being forwarded to the Major Crimes Unit for investigation,” WPS Const. Claude Chancy said in an email Monday.

“Additional information regarding the incident is not available as the investigation is in its beginning stages.”

Dustin said there were no suspects yet, but community members had told him the assailant was a regular visitor at the dog park. He said he fears for his safety, as he lives nearby.

“I’m definitely worried, especially after finding out that he frequents that dog park every day,” he said. “I’m quite worried that he lives in the area now.”

He said he had informed other St. James residents through social media about the incident and wants people to be aware that the person who attacked him is not yet in custody.

“We want people to stay safe. It looked like he was just looking for violence, and I don’t want somebody to get hurt.”

malk.abas@freepress.mb.ca