Surgeons are sounding the alarm and worried about the lack of municipal regulations prohibiting pitbull-type dogs in Montreal. "Prioritizing dogs over children is totally unacceptable," says Daniel Borsuk, a pioneer of facial reconstructions.

No type of dog is currently prohibited on the island of Montreal. The regulation banning those of pitbull types, adopted by the administration of Denis Coderre after the death of Christiane Vadnais, attacked by the molossus of a neighbor in her yard, was suspended after the election of Valérie Plante.

"Being aimed at a single breed, a single kind of dog, is the wrong way, because all dogs can be dangerous," said City Councilor Craig Sauvé, head of the animal management file, at the time.

Plastic surgeon Daniel Borsuk, a pioneer in facial reconstruction, regrets this.

Dr. Daniel Borsuk practices at the CHU Sainte-Justine.

>Prioritizing dogs over children is totally unacceptable. It's a lack of empathy, a lack of humanity.

Dr. Daniel Borsuk, plastic surgeon at CHU Sainte-Justine

Dr. Borsuk compares pitbull-type dogs to assault weapons. Some weapons are prohibited and others are strictly controlled.

Like firearms, not all dogs do the same damage, says the doctor. "If we could save a single girl or a single little boy, it would be worth to pay," he says.

>Most of the children I receive in the hospital have been attacked by pitbull-type dogs or mixtures, including the pitbull type.

Dr. Sabrina Cugno, plastic surgeon at the Montreal Children's Hospital

With the exception of children from the Far North, who are more often bitten by huskies.

At the CHU Sainte-Justine, where he practices, Dr. Borsuk has dealt with cases of torn limbs or disfigured children. He remembers too well this six-hour operation, on a girl attacked by several huskies belonging to her grandfather. "His scalp, an ear, everything was torn off," he describes. His abdomen, chest, thighs, legs had been bitten. "

The child was the same age as his daughter. "It was the first time I cried in the operating room," he says. It was a disaster. "

Since 2020, 37 patients have been hospitalized at CHU Sainte-Justine due to injuries caused by dog bites. Twenty-four of these patients were under 5 years old; the others, 6 to 12 years old. Almost all patients aged 0 to 5 years (92%) needed surgery.

The vast majority also had more than one injury. Among the most common: traumatic open wounds and lacerations (sometimes with muscle and nerve damage), contusions, massive facial/cranial fractures or intracranial lesions.

In most cases, the bitten child knows the dog, observes Dr. Cugno of the Montreal Children's Hospital. It is that of the immediate or extended family, or of a neighbor. "Most of the time, the child provoked the dog in one way or another, by playing with his tail or by disturbing him while he eats," she explains.

Hence the importance of teaching children from an early age how to approach a dog, says her colleague Debbie Friedman, director of traumatology at the Montreal Children's Hospital. In this single pediatric hospital center, the emergency room receives an average of a hundred cases of dog bites per year.

Parents are not sufficiently aware, according to her, of the fact that it is necessary to be particularly vigilant when children have food in their hands.

>The dog won't say to himself: I want to hurt the child. He said to himself: I want this cookie.

Dr. Debbie Friedman, Director of Traumatology at the Montreal Children's Hospital

Children were seriously bitten in the hand, in the face or downright in the lips in this way.

This kind of accident "breaks families", says Dr. Dominique Tremblay, plastic surgeon at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital. "Unfortunately, we see patients who have to take legal action against the dog owner, sometimes within their own family, because there is no opening to have him euthanized. "

At the beginning of her practice, Dr. Tremblay operated on an 18-month-old child completely disfigured by the family dog. "The mother was at the baby's bedside during multiple surgeries and on the other side, you had the father who did not want to know anything about parting with the dog," she describes.

"I think we need to be more aware of the danger of dogs," continues Dr. Borsuk. I believe that we would benefit from offering more support to the owners when they register their dog with the municipality. And those who are not equipped to own this kind of big dogs should be more supervised too. "

Child was rescued in serious condition, but did not resist the injuries; pitbull's tutor was arrested in the act

A 3-year-old girl died after being attacked by a pit-bull dog on Thursday (9/17), in Cosmos, in the west of Rio de Janeiro. The child was rescued by military police and taken to the Rocha Faria Municipal Hospital, in Campo Grande, but did not resist the injuries.

According to information from the Military Police, the dog belonged to the girl's grandmother's companion. The man was not in the residence at the time of the attack. Upon realizing the situation, neighbors broke into the gate of the property and managed to remove the child from the animal's reach. The dog was contained during the intervention.

After the attack, teams from the 40º Military Police Battalion were activated. The agents took the girl to the health unit, where she arrived in very serious condition. According to the Municipal Health Department, the child received medical care, but died in the hospital.

Pit-bull tutor was arrested

After the occurrence, police officers conducted searches to locate the person responsible for the dog. The tutor was identified as Jorge Vinicius Quevene da Silva and arrested in the act.

He was referred to the 35ª Police Station in Campo Grande, where the case was registered. According to information released by the authorities, the man is investigated for manslaughter, when there is no intention to kill.

The Civil Police requested expertise on the spot and forwarded the child's body to the Medical-Legal Institute (IML). The investigation should clarify the circumstances of the attack and verify the possible responsibility of the guardian.

The case will also be analyzed in the light of the Henry Borel Law, which establishes mechanisms for preventing and confronting domestic and family violence against children and adolescents.

Man dies after being attacked by pit bull dogs on the waterfront in Arroio do Sal

On Tuesday morning (08), a 57-year-old man died after being attacked by three pit bull dogs on the sandy shoreline of Arroio Seco Beach, in Arroio do Sal.

The incident was attended by Military Police (BM) teams around 8:30 AM and also mobilized the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU).

According to preliminary information, the Military Police were called after members of the public reported that a man had been attacked by three dogs on the beachfront. A squad dispatched to the location—alongside SAMU medical staff—where they found the victim already deceased.

According to information from the Litoral na Rede news portal, the Military Police located the three dogs and identified the animals' owner. The circumstances surrounding the attack are still under investigation by authorities.

The Environmental Patrol (PATRAM) and the Municipal Secretariat for the Environment were also called to monitor the situation and take appropriate measures regarding the animals.

PHOTO – SAMU medical staff confirmed the victim's death at the beachfront (collaboration – via Litoral na Rede)

ARROIO DO SAL: Second fatal attack by pit bulls in less than 40 days

This was the second fatal attack involving pit bull dogs in less than 40 days in Arroio do Sal. The previous case occurred on August 1st, when a 66-year-old woman was killed while attempting to feed the dog, which belonged to her nephew.

A 51-year-old woman was hanging out clothes when she was caught off guard by the animal. Her 53-year-old husband was also injured while defending her.
By Thiago de Oliveira | 28/05/2026

A 51-year-old woman suffered severe facial injuries after being attacked by her own dog, a pitbull, in the backyard of her house in the Batel neighborhood of Guarapuava on Thursday morning (28). Her 53-year-old husband was also injured while attempting to restrain the animal.

The severity of the attack required the victim to be intubated at the scene by the SAMU (Mobile Emergency Care Service) advanced support team. According to the medical team's report, the woman suffered extensive loss of skin tissue and exposure of maxillary, nasal, and frontal bone tissue. She was transported in critical condition to the São Vicente de Paulo Hospital, where she underwent surgical procedures.

The husband also received medical treatment after suffering lacerations to both arms while attempting to defend her. He has since been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home.

The Attack and Intervention

According to the couple's niece, the victim was hanging out laundry in the backyard when she was caught off guard by the dog. "My aunt was just hanging out clothes as normal; he attacked her and my uncle went to defend her... The dog tore off her nose." According to her, the pitbull had lived with the couple for over seven years, since it was a puppy just a few months old. "We still can't understand what led to the attack."

The Civil Police were alerted by an employee of a nearby butcher shop who witnessed the incident and sought help. Officers from the 14th Police Sub-division (SDP) arrived on foot and found the husband covered in blood, attempting to restrain the animal in the backyard.

To stop the attack, officers utilized less-lethal/controlled-impact ammunition. The dog initially resisted but backed off after being struck. Veterinarian Rodrigo Antônio Martins de Souza voluntarily assisted at the scene and managed to sedate the pitbull using a tranquilizer dart. After being contained, the animal was handed over to other family members to receive veterinary care.

Police to Hear Witnesses

The Civil Police stated that an isolated attack by a domestic pet against its owners does not initially constitute a crime. In the coming days, witnesses and family members will be interviewed to determine what may have triggered the pitbull's violent reaction. If the investigation reveals any irregularities—such as failure to take necessary safety precautions or evidence of prior animal abuse—a formal police inquiry may be opened.

Animal escaped the property and attacked the victim as she returned home from school; the girl suffered a fractured arm and was left with permanent scars

Gabriela Neves • September 05, 2026, at 08:30 AM

A 12-year-old girl was attacked by a pit bull dog while walking home from school in Rio Grande do Sul. The animal had escaped from the property where it was kept. The attack caused severe injuries to the victim's right arm, including a fracture, requiring medical treatment and a surgical procedure.

The owner of the dog was ordered to pay R22,259.24 in compensationto the girl .The decision was unanimously upheld by the 6th Civil Chamber of the Court of Justice of Rio Grande do Sul (TJRS), which rejected an appeal presented by the defense. Of the tota lamount, R15,000 corresponds to moral damages, R7,000 to aesthetic damages, and R259.24 to material damages regarding medication expenses.

Dog Escaped the Property

According to the lawsuit, the girl was on her way home when she was ambushed by the pit bull. The animal had left the property where it was kept and charged at the child. The owner's defense attempted to dismiss responsibility for the attack. Among the arguments presented was the claim that there were discrepancies in the description of the dog's coat and that the animal showed no injuries or traces of blood after the incident.

The arguments, however, were not accepted by the appellate judges. Witnesses identified the dog from images presented during the hearing, and the body of evidence was deemed sufficient to confirm the owner's liability.

The judge rapporteur of the case, Appellate Judge Gelson Rolim Stocker, stated that the owner is strictly liable for the damages caused by the animal to third parties. According to the magistrate, photographs attached to the case file showed that the walls of the residence were extremely low, which was considered an inadequate form of containment for a large dog with the potential to cause harm.

For the judge, the owner's failure to maintain the animal under adequate security conditions was clearly established.

Girl Left with Permanent Scars

In addition to the physical injuries caused by the attack, the Court considered the aesthetic consequences of the lesions. Images presented in the lawsuit showed that the girl was left with permanent, visible, and significant scars.

The judge rapporteur emphasized that permanent marks on such a young person affect the victim's physical integrity and self-image. For this reason, the compensation for aesthetic damages was maintained at R7,000,inadditiontotheR15,000 for moral damages.

The Court also took into account the physical suffering and emotional distress caused by the attack in a public space, alongside the need for emergency medical care. The decision was joined by Appellate Judges Ney Wiedemann Neto and Giovanni Conti.

One of the cases occurred in the Cabildo neighborhood, where a little girl was bitten by two Dogo Argentinos. The other happened in Alta Gracia, where a small boy was attacked by a pit bull. A man has been arrested.

A two-year-old girl died this Friday after being attacked by two Dogo Argentino dogs at a home in the Cabildo neighborhood of Córdoba City.

The attack occurred during the morning inside a relative's house. According to information known so far, the animals belonged to the little girl's uncle.

Following the incident, the girl was rushed to the Príncipe de Asturias Hospital, where she was admitted in critical condition.

She suffered cardiac arrest and was transferred to the Children's Hospital

At the health center, she suffered cardiac arrest. Doctors managed to resuscitate and stabilize her before arranging her transfer to the Children's Hospital, where she was admitted with extremely severe injuries.

The child was suffering from massive hemorrhaging and had to undergo emergency surgery.

Despite the efforts of the medical team, who performed resuscitation maneuvers for more than an hour, she ultimately died as a result of the injuries caused by the attack.

Assistance for responding police officers

The incident also had a heavy impact on the police officers who participated in the operation.

The officers who intervened at the scene required psychological assistance after participating in the response.

The investigation will need to determine the circumstances under which the attack occurred and assign the corresponding responsibilities.

Another case in Alta Gracia

Another child, also two years old, passed away this Friday afternoon after being attacked by a dog in the city of Alta Gracia, as reported to Cadena 3 by the head of the Santa María Departmental Police of Córdoba, Senior Officer Roque Carabajal.

It occurred at a residence located on Catamarca Street, at the corner of Cervantes, at approximately 5:00 p.m.

The child's mother related that a pit bull dog attacked her son while she was preparing to give the child a bath.

The dog belongs to an acquaintance of the mother who was at the residence at the time.

The little boy was transported to the Humberto Illia Regional Hospital, where medical staff were unable to revive him.

The animal attacked the baby without provocation, inflicting bites across several parts of his body.

At 6:00 p.m., Dr. Patricia Farini confirmed the minor's death due to a fatal attack with no possibility of resuscitation.

Following the assault, an operation was organized that succeeded in capturing the dog in the vicinity of the home.

Additionally, a man over 30 years old—the alleged owner of the dog—was arrested and charged with the crime of "manslaughter" (homicidio culposo) by Alejandro Peralta Ottonello, who heads Turn 2 Prosecutor's Office in Alta Gracia.

Less than a month since another tragedy

The deaths of the two toddlers occur less than a month after the death of Salvador, a 3-year-old boy who was attacked by pit bull dogs in Córdoba.

This new case also comes as trial proceedings move forward regarding the death of Trinidad Ballesteros, the young woman killed by two Dogo Argentinos in Córdoba City, a case in which José Nieto is currently standing trial.

Translation

A four-month-old baby girl died after being attacked by a pit bull while sleeping in Pablo Nogués.

The case has been brought before the courts, and investigators are working to determine the owners' liability for negligence.

A four-month-old baby girl died after being attacked by a pit bull while sleeping in a house on O’Brien Street at the 4300 block, in Ingeniero Pablo Nogués, Malvinas Argentinas municipality, Buenos Aires Province.

According to the police report cited by local media, the animal entered the area of the house due to an oversight, bit her on the head, and inflicted extremely severe injuries.
The victim, identified as Emma, was rushed to the Federico Abete Trauma and Emergency Hospital. She remained there in critical condition as doctors performed resuscitation maneuvers, but they were unable to save her.

The dog entered the area where the girl was sleeping

Micaela, the baby’s aunt, told Canal Provincial that the mother picked up her daughter in her arms and ran out into the street to cry for help.

According to her account, she was carrying the baby "covered in blood" and, in her desperation, tripped and fell to the ground just as she reached the corner. Shortly after, they received assistance and transported Emma to the hospital, where her death was confirmed.

The woman explained that the pit bull’s owners are reportedly relatives of the victim’s mother. She also claimed that the dog had previously been involved in other attacks in the neighborhood, stating it had killed other animals and bitten a neighbor.
At present, these alleged prior incidents stem solely from the aunt’s testimony and have not been publicly confirmed by authorities.

Zoonosis removed the pit bull, and judicial authorities are investigating liability
Following the report, Zoonosis personnel removed the dog from the house and transferred it to a municipal facility.
According to information published by local media, the animal will remain housed under mandatory sanitary observation for ten days by judicial order.

"Supposedly they are going to put it down, but I don’t know," Micaela replied when asked about the dog’s fate. So far, there is no official confirmation regarding that outcome.

Pit Bull Attack Leaves Woman Injured and Kills Small Dog in Northern Marília

An attack by two pit bulls shocked residents of the Doutor Aniz Badra neighborhood in northern Marília on Thursday morning (13). The incident occurred around 8:00 AM on Francisco Morilhas Street while a woman was walking down the public street with her small dog.

The two large animals charged at the pedestrian and her pet. Due to the severity of the wounds, the small dog did not survive and died at the scene. The woman suffered multiple bite injuries and required medical attention.

Witnesses who saw the scene reported that a man, preliminary identified as the boyfriend of the pit bulls' owner, rounded up the animals right after the attack and fled the scene without providing any aid or assistance to the injured victim.

Police Investigation and Report

The Civil Police were notified of the case around 9:00 AM after the General Investigation Sector (SIG) was alerted by the animal control contractor BG Zangrossi. Police units were dispatched to the specified address in the Aniz Badra neighborhood, but the pit bulls and the man had already been removed from the street.

At the residence identified as the source of the animals, investigators attempted to contact the dogs' owner, but she did not answer the officers' calls. Preliminary information also indicates that a third animal, belonging to the pit bull owner herself, was also injured during the attack.

The case was formally registered at the Judicial Police Center (CPJ) of Marília as a misdemeanor offense for failure to exercise due care in animal custody (omissão de cautela na guarda de animais), alongside investigation into bodily harm and property damage. The investigation continues to hold the owners accountable and to clarify the actions of the man who fled the scene.

The minor suffered facial injuries, underwent surgery, and remains under observation at the Children's Hospital. The case has reignited concern over other recent episodes involving children attacked in the province.

The attack was carried out by a pit bull mix in a home in the Remedios de Escalada neighborhood (Illustrative Image Infobae).

A 3-year-old boy was attacked by a pit bull mix in a new episode in Córdoba and had to undergo surgery due to the injuries he suffered to his face. The incident took place in the Remedios de Escalada neighborhood, and the minor remains hospitalized.

The animal is part of the family environment and lives in the house. In that regard, the mother explained that it is an elderly, blind dog.

According to the testimony she gave to ElDoce.TV, the attack occurred early Sunday morning when the child reportedly stepped accidentally on one of the animal's paws.

The bite reportedly hit the cheekbone area, and the animal released the child after the attack. The minor was first treated at Elpidio Torres Hospital and was later admitted to the Children's Hospital after undergoing surgery. "My son is doing well, he is recovering well," the mother stated.

The 3-year-old child remains hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of Córdoba.

The injury was severe, resulting in 65 stitches to the face. "His cheek came loose, it was on the verge of being cut off, but fortunately there is no damage to the bone," said the child's mother, who added that there should be no permanent aftereffects. The minor will have to remain under medical observation for five to ten days.

Precedents in Córdoba

The episode in the Remedios de Escalada neighborhood has brought dangerous dog attacks back into focus in Córdoba. In August alone, several cases were reported, raising alarms due to the repeated incidents involving young children as victims and reopening the discussion on controls, responsible ownership, and the conditions in which these animals remain inside homes or circulate in public spaces.

Last week—on August 13, 2026—a 2-year-old boy had to undergo surgery after suffering severe injuries to his face and skull following an attack by an Argentine Dogo in Villa Caeiro, in the Punilla Valley. The episode occurred inside a residence, and the animal reportedly belonged to the minor's family.

The boy suffered facial and skull injuries after an Argentine Dogo attack.

The child was first treated at the Domingo Funes Hospital and later transferred to the Children's Hospital of Córdoba, where he was admitted to intensive care. Later, he showed progress that allowed his transfer to an intermediate care unit, although doctors kept him under evaluation and were analyzing the possibility of reconstructive surgery, according to information from the Ministry of Health of Córdoba.

Four days prior, a 3-year-old boy died after being attacked by a pit bull in the Villa La Lonja neighborhood in Córdoba. The attack occurred on a vacant lot, in a makeshift structure where two people lived. After suffering injuries to his face and neck, he was transferred to the Vélez Sarsfield Clinic, where doctors confirmed his death shortly after.

The child passed away at the Vélez Sarsfield Clinic.

Following that episode, the judicial investigation advanced regarding ownership responsibility for the animal. In that case, Prosecutor Celeste Blasco charged the pit bull owner with involuntary manslaughter (homicidio culposo), a criminal charge that carries penalties of 1 to 5 years in prison. In parallel, in the Villa Caeiro attack case, the investigation was assigned to Prosecutor Silvana Pen, who seeks to determine the context in which the attack occurred and whether there were failures related to the dog's care.

In this context, Ordinance 13,321—in effect in the city of Córdoba since 2023—has regained relevance. The regulation established a mandatory registry for dogs considered potentially dangerous. The law covers animals identified by their breed, by a history of aggressiveness, or by having been trained for defense and attack. It includes, among others, the Pit Bull Terrier, Argentine Dogo, Rottweiler, Doberman, Bull Terrier, Presa Canario, Akita Inu, and their mixes. In addition to registration, it establishes specific conditions for ownership and public presence, along with penalties for non-compliance.

2-year-old boy dies after being attacked by family pit bull - Jornal da Comarca

A two-year-old boy died early Tuesday afternoon (18/08) after being attacked by the family dog, a pit bull, in the yard of his home in Agudos (SP). According to the police report, the victim was identified as Luiz Henrique da Silva.

According to the account given by the father, 22, his son was playing in the yard when he heard screams and ran to check. When he arrived, he found the dog, which was off-leash, attacking the child and biting him on the neck.

The father told police he kicked the animal to stop the attack. As soon as the dog released the boy, the man immediately rushed him to the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) in Agudos.

Medical staff attempted resuscitation to try to save the boy, but he did not survive his injuries and died at the health facility.

The police report states the dog is an adult male, five years old. The owner reported he had adopted the animal about a year and two months earlier and that he was the only one able to control the dog.

The case was referred to the Agudos Police Department and recorded as culpable homicide (manslaughter, i.e. without intent to kill). Civil Police are investigating.

VIDEO: Pitbull shot dead after charging at police officers during a stop in Itajaí

August 19, 2026

A police encounter in Itajaí, Santa Catarina ended in a dog’s death on the evening of August 18. Officers were conducting a stop on Juvenal Garcia Street when they approached a homeless man accompanied by a large pitbull.

According to the Military Police account, the animal charged toward the officers during the interaction. One of the officers fired a shot to try to contain the dog. Despite being wounded, the animal allegedly continued advancing, prompting a second shot. The dog died at the scene.

Prior incidents

Police indicated the dog had previously attacked another homeless person just days earlier, biting that individual’s ear. The initial attack reportedly proved difficult to stop and required the owner’s intervention to end it.

Circumstances

The large pitbull was unleashed and unmuzzled during the police encounter. Authorities noted the rapid escalation once the animal charged at officers, leading to the decision to use lethal force.

The incident remains under investigation by the competent authorities to determine the circumstances and appropriateness of the police response.