CALGARY — A Calgary judge has ordered two dogs be destroyed for their part in the "most horrible death" of an elderly woman two years ago. "These dogs should not be returned to the community because they are a high risk and a danger to the public," Justice Bruce Fraser ruled Thursday. "The only option is to direct they be destroyed.
" The dogs' owner, Denis Bagaric, appeared visibly upset at the judge's decision. The ruling was made in the case of Betty Ann Williams. The 86-year-old was mauled to death on June 5, 2022, after three dogs escaped a fenced and gated backyard and attacked her while she was gardening in a back alley.
There were three American Staffordshire terriers involved in the attack that left Williams with fatal injuries to her neck, throat and head. The dog identified as the main attacker has already been destroyed, but the City of Calgary sought to have the remaining two euthanized as well. Bagaric asked that the dogs instead be adopted out and given behaviour modification.
His lawyer had argued the two should be spared because there was no proof they were involved. Fraser disagreed. "The photos demonstrate horrific injuries to Miss Williams all over her body that led to her death, particularly to her head, jaw, neck and face.
Her lip and one ear had been ripped off. She was covered in blood," Fraser said. "Miss Williams died a most horrible death.
" Court heard that the woman’s wounds were grievous: multiple cuts and bruises to her head and neck; the vert.
