Service-dog-to-be dies after attack at Gatineau dog daycare

A Gatineau man is calling for the closure of a local dog daycare after his dog was mauled to death.

Félix Lanthier, who works as a chiropractor, left the care of his year-and-a-half old golden retriever Austin with Kaninou, a Gatineau dog daycare and boarding service, before leaving for a business trip on March 12.

On March 17, the same day he was to return, Lanthier received a call from Kaninou that his dog was bitten and taken to an emergency veterinary hospital in Ottawa for treatment. Austin died that afternoon.

“I was shocked,” Lanthier said. “I was told that my dog had just got bitten.”

But when he arrived at the hospital and saw his dog, he said he realized he’d been misled.

“It was a lot more than just a bite. Like, my dog got attacked,” he said.

Lanthier said the veterinarian pointed out numerous bite wounds, including muscle tears, across the dog’s entire body.

CBC reviewed multiple photos showing the extent of Austin’s injuries. Out of respect for readers, CBC has decided not to publish the images.

Legal action pending

Lanthier said the owner of Kaninou was very emotional and paid for Austin’s veterinary bills but, in the days that followed, had ignored his multiple messages.

In the time since Austin’s death, Lanthier said he’s been in contact with multiple other former clients of Kaninou who told him their animals had also been injured or lost by the same business.

In a Google Street View image from 2023, a sign that says “Dogs Of All Breeds” can be seen on a fence of the property. Lanthier said this is the former name of the business.

Lanthier said he went from shock, to sadness, to anger. Then he called the police and hired a lawyer.

“I’m not doing this for the money because there’s no money to get. I’m doing this just to shut down that place and make justice for Austin and for all the dogs before,” he said.

CBC News and Radio-Canada tried multiple times to reach Kaninou but were unsuccessful.

In a statement emailed to Radio-Canada, Gatineau police confirmed their animal control unit has opened an investigation.

Radio-Canada confirmed that the dog had indeed been entrusted to the care of Kaninou and obtained copies of documents confirming his transfer to a veterinary hospital in Ottawa.

A service dog in the making

Austin was only weeks away from completing his official service dog training, Lanthier said.

At his Gatineau chiropractic clinic, Austin was well known by patients.

“Some patients would come in only because Austin was there because sometimes they would be too anxious to come,” he said.

Lanthier said Austin was also working in seniors’ centres and with children in libraries.

“[Austin] was a very, very, very good dog. Very loved.”