Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Pickers, strummers, and fiddlers jam weekly in Pitt Meadows.
Page A21
ary Annivers 1985-2010
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Times to Remember Ridge Meadows Seniors Society is putting on their annual Christmas variety show featuring cowboys and Indians, and a salute to the Canadian Armed Forces. The show opens Thursday evening at the seniors activity centre on 224th Street. See story, page A7.
Troy Landreville/TIMES
Internal review
Pitt Meadows woman bit by police dog
Monica Steele was denied counselling because she’s not a “victim of crime.” by Cheryl Chan
Postmedia Network Inc.
A traumatized Pitt Meadows woman attacked by a leashed police dog thinks she deserves victim services counselling – even if the RCMP doesn’t think so. Monica Steele was standing near the elevator of a Burnaby apartment on Nov. 16, when police officers – responding to a break-and-enter call reported by Steele’s employer – burst into the narrow hallway. One of the officers was holding on to a police dog, which Steele said was “raring to go” and was on a loose leash. “The handler wasn’t in control of the dog,” she said. “Although he was trying, it was the dog telling him where to go.” As the dog went past Steele, it suddenly went for her, without provocation. “He jumped up, lunged at me and bit into my thigh,” said Steele, a part-time housekeeper.
Steele fell against the wall and to the floor with the dog attached to her leg until police managed to drag the canine off her. The attack lasted mere seconds, but enough to leave the 45-year-old woman traumatized. “She was in shock,” recalled Steele’s employer, Alexander Waters, who witnessed the incident. “It was really awful. She was crying and shaking and saying, ‘Why?’ over and over again.” None of the officers stayed behind with her, said Steele, who was told later that the police’s first priority was the breakand-enter call. An ambulance was called and Steele was transported to hospital for bruises, scrapes and small puncture marks from the dog’s teeth. She also needed antibiotics and a tetanus shot. Steele was offered an apology by the canine handler’s supervisor, who visited her at her house. She was told the handler was new at his job. Steele was then asked to sign a complaint form that said the handler will receive “operational guidance” on dog-
handling. She refused. said he cannot comment on what the “It’s too vague. I want him to go for criteria is for someone to receive support more training. If he can’t control the dog, from victim services. he shouldn’t be out with the dog. What Police will conduct an internal review if I was a little girl? This could be much on the matter, Thiessen said, but it is too worse.” early to say whether the handler will be Steele said she also wants to find out required to undergo additional training, about the dog’s history. which Steele wants. Her physical injuries have faded, but “We are supporting her in every way the psychological damage we can,” he said, noting still haunts her. police have been in con“the handler wasn’t “The nervousness realtact with Steele numerin control of the dog. ly bothers me more than ous times. Although he was trying, I can explain,” she said. Steele confirmed she “I’m not that way. Panic was told she was well it was the dog telling attacks are not my MO.” within her rights to seek him where to go.” But almost two weeks legal action. Monica Steele after the attack, Steele But, despite urging said she is still plagued from friends that she by insomnia, cries for no hire a lawyer, Steele reason, can’t focus on work, can’t drive has balked: “In my heart of hearts ... I and can’t bear to be around crowds. believe, morally, it is wrong to hire a lawWhen Steele finally decided to turn to yer to sue my policeman.” a therapist for help, she called the numBut she might change her mind, she ber for RCMP victim services from a card added, because “I do believe they have to given to her by the canine supervisor. make things right – to apologize, to take She was told she doesn’t qualify care of me, emotionally and psychologicbecause she is not a “victim of crime.” ally.” • More online at www.mrtimes.com, click on “News” RCMP spokesman Cpl. Peter Thiessen
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