Investigation into dog attack that killed N.S. boy continuing, RCMP say

Nova Scotia RCMP say a Rottweiler and two Cane Corsos were the three large-breed dogs involved in a fatal attack on a 13-year-old boy near Shelburne, N.S.

Drew Nickerson died in a Halifax hospital on Monday after being transported by Lifeflight helicopter following the attack late Saturday afternoon.

The attack happened as the boy was riding his bike past a property near his home on Upper Sandy Cove Road in the community of Welshtown, about 12 kilometres north of the town of Shelburne.

In an interview with CBC News, Staff Sgt. Mark MacPherson said the dogs had run out on to the road while Nickerson was riding his bike. He said police have been able to obtain video footage of the attack from a neighbouring residence.

“At this point we’re collecting the facts and trying to understand the circumstances around this attack and why it happened,” MacPherson said.

MacPherson said the dogs were no longer on their owner’s property at the time of the attack. He said one of the dog owners drove the boy to the hospital “because of what they felt the severity of the injuries were.”

“Drilling down on exactly how that occurred or what restraint systems were in time at the place. I just can’t comment on that as of yet,” MacPherson said.

MacPherson said there were no prior records of complaints about the dog either to police or local animal control. He said it is too soon in the investigation to determine if there will be charges.

RCMP said they have been gathering and analyzing video footage, conducting door-to-door canvassing and interviewing people about the dogs’ “day-to-day movements,” RCMP said.

The RCMP noted the dog owners have been co-operative throughout their investigation. The dogs were euthanized by a veterinarian.

The death has left many reeling in Shelburne County, which is home to about 13,000 people and includes several fishing communities along the Atlantic coast. Drew Nickerson was a Grade 8 student at Shelburne Regional High School.

Fisherman Conway Hutt didn’t know the Nickerson family, but said when he heard about the tragedy he knew there was a family to support.

He launched a fundraising raffle in support of Drew’s family. He and other fisherman donated lobster and scallops as prizes. By Tuesday evening, dozens of items had been donated by other community members including hundreds of dollars in gift cards and hand-crocheted blankets.

“As of about 8 o’clock [Tuesday] night, we hit like 80 different items,” Hutt said in an interview with The Canadian Press on Wednesday.

“So at that point, that was way more than we ever expected. So I just stopped taking donations at that point and just asked them to make money contributions or buy tickets.”

Hutt said he’s sold raffle tickets to people in Ontario and British Columbia, showing how far the story of the tragedy has reached.

An online fundraising campaign launched in support of Drew’s mother had also raised nearly $50,000 by midday Wednesday, with nearly 800 people donating.

The campaign post says Drew was a friend to many, sharing a passion for horses with his mom, along with all-terrain vehicles and anything outside.

“Our community is absolutely devastated by this loss,” said the post.

An online statement from the boy’s family thanked the community for the “overwhelming” fundraising support, noting the boy’s grandparents plan to pay for the funeral.

A post from his soccer team, Southwest Blast FC, said the boy found great joy in the sport including an under-13 championship, “a moment that meant so much to him and those around him.”

“[He] will also be remembered for his bright smile, kindness, sense of humour and the light he brought to every space he entered,” said the post.

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