Denis Bagaric, visibly distraught, spoke to CTV News following a court decision on Thursday that mandates the euthanasia of his two remaining dogs. The ruling culminates a two-year legal battle over their involvement in the tragic death of Calgary senior Betty Ann Williams in June 2022.
Expressing deep sorrow, Bagaric described the situation as “a big mess up,” recounting his daily anguish since the incident. “I wake up every morning screaming and crying,” he revealed.
The incident occurred during a barbeque at Bagaric’s residence, where his Staffordshire terriers—Smoki, Cinnamon, and Bossi—escaped and fatally attacked Williams while she was gardening in a neighboring alley. Smoki has already been euthanized for his role in the attack.
“It’s been a nightmare,” Bagaric lamented, reflecting on his attachment to the dogs despite their involvement in the tragedy. “I loved Betty. So it’s hard. I never wanted all the dogs.”
During the court proceedings, Justice Bruce Fraser sided with the city’s application to euthanize the remaining dogs, citing them as high-risk and dangerous to the public. Bagaric’s plea for the dogs to be spared and rehabilitated was countered by the judge’s assertion that the evidence of their involvement was clear.
Williams, 86, suffered severe injuries leading to her death, including extensive wounds to her head, neck, and body. Despite Bagaric’s claim that his dogs were not trained to harm anyone, the court concluded they posed a significant risk based on the severity of the injuries inflicted.
In addition to the euthanasia order, Bagaric has already faced an $18,000 fine and a 15-year prohibition from owning pets after pleading guilty to bylaw charges related to the attack.
The resolution brings a sense of closure for Betty Ann Williams’ niece, Nancy Atkinson, who expressed relief that the dogs will not pose a threat again. “It’s just nice to know that there’s finally some conclusion to this,” she remarked from her Ontario home. Atkinson fondly remembered her aunt as a strong-willed woman with a vibrant personality.
While Bagaric plans to commemorate Williams with a memorial near her home, he remains deeply affected by the tragedy. “I cry every day,” he admitted. “I do care for animals and I cared for Betty.”
The fate of Bagaric’s remaining dogs, now in the custody of Animal Bylaw Services, underscores the emotional and legal complexities surrounding the aftermath of the incident.
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