The owner of three pit bulls who were euthanized after they attacked and killed an 86-year-old woman faces a new criminal charge after police discovered more dogs despite a court order prohibiting animal ownership, CBC News has learned.
In May, Denis Bagaric, 36, was fined $18,000 and banned from owning animals for 15 years after pleading guilty to bylaw offences of allowing an animal to attack and injure a person and allowing dogs to run at large.
Calgary police confirm that on October 10, Bagaric was charged with breaching a court order.
In a written statement provided to CBC, the City of Calgary confirmed that two dogs were removed from Bagaric’s home.
“The dogs are currently under the care of the City of Calgary Animal Services Centre,” according to the city’s statement.
“The dogs’ futures are being carefully considered as we balance the animals’ well-being and the requirements of the court-ordered prohibition.”
CBC News reached out to Bagaric for comment but did not hear back.
On October 11, Bagaric wrote on his Facebook page: “The feds broke into my rehoming family’s home and took Dibo and Kallie and threw me in jail.”
‘I never abandoned you’
Days later, alongside photos of two pit bull dogs, Bagaric posted again. He said the dogs were seized from a “fostering house.”
“I love you guys so much,” Bagaric wrote in the Facebook tribute to his dogs. “Know I never abandoned you.”
Bagaric is back in court on his new charge in early December.
On June 5, 2022, Betty Ann Williams, known to friends and family as “Rusty” from her time in the Royal Canadian Air Force, was attacked by Bagaric’s three pit bulls — Bossi, Cinnamon and Smoki — in the alley behind her Capitol Hill home in northwest Calgary.
Williams died from her injuries.
‘Horrific injuries’
Smoki was destroyed shortly after Williams’ death but Bagaric’s lawyer asked a judge to spare Bossi and Cinnamon, arguing there was no evidence they were involved in the fatal attack.
In June, Justice Bruce Fraser disagreed and ordered the other dogs to be euthanized, finding they all participated in causing Williams’ “horrific injuries.”
Fraser found that the dogs “should not be returned to the community because they are a high risk and danger to the public.”
Bagaric has said he was very close with Williams and in a social media post called her his friend and “beloved” neighbour.
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