WATCH: Aggressive pack of dogs has Allan mayor ‘panicking’

ALLAN, Sask. — Ask many people from Allan what it’s like living in the small town about 35 minutes southeast of Saskatoon, and they’ll tell you they love it there. Most residents know each other – they socialize together and help one another. The town is generally quiet and peaceful.

But a roaming pack of aggressive dogs now prevents kids from freely riding their bikes, seniors from taking their daily strolls, and pet owners from simply taking their dogs out for a walk.

According to residents who spoke with 650 CKOM, the dogs have attacked children, pets and adults at least a dozen times. The pack of nearly half a dozen dogs appears to come from one home and belong to one owner.

According to Mayor Bonnie Lewis, the most recent incident allegedly occurred on Aug. 14. A woman was walking her dog near the swimming pool when she was knocked to the ground by the dogs, Lewis said, adding that the victim needed a tetanus shot, while her small dog was also injured.

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The concern for people’s safety is something Lewis always has on her mind.

“I, as a mayor, am panicking. Because if this happens, a child gets bit, I am going to be absolutely furious,” she said.

Her advice is for residents to remain vigilant when the dogs are out.

Neighbours in the town of Allan, Sask. say the dogs regularly escape the home through an upstairs window. (Nicole DeCorby Hubbs/Submitted)

Allan resident Donna Kemp said she was attacked on April 6 as she left her home to go for a walk. Two large dogs ran up to her, snarling and barking.

“The one (dog) went up and down my sleeve snarling and growling, but he didn’t bite,” she recalled. “They never let up. If I moved, I felt they were going to jump me.”

She said she was held captive on the road for at least 10 minutes until two people nearby saw what was going on.

“The fellow jumped in his truck. So, between the two of them, one grabbed a 2×4 and chased them, and the other got me into his vehicle,” she continued.

Kemp has a medical condition called atrial fibrillation. She was afraid she’d have a heart attack after the incident which she said was reported to RCMP.

A pack of aggressive dogs run freely through the streets of Allan, Sask. Residents say they’ve been bitten and attacked, but the owner allows them to escape. (Gloria Stephanson/Submitted)

Bylaws aren’t strong enough

Lewis said the current bylaw allows for a maximum of four dogs. But it doesn’t prevent animal owners from possessing more than the limit.

An animal control officer visits the town once per month, collecting information about animals at large, among other possible infractions. The town cannot afford to pay for more frequent visits, Lewis said.

According to Lewis, enforcement can only occur if the animals are observed roaming when the officer visits the town.

Lewis believes a provincial law would give townships the power to remove or impound animals if they’re deemed dangerous.

“I’m terrified myself to go out for a walk with my own dogs and all I can say is that we’re doing our damnedest to try and get this solved before somebody gets hurt,” she said.

According to Saskatchewan RCMP, there have been six reports to police since April 2024. All the incidents involved the same group of dogs in Allan. There have been no bites to human skin reported, and the Crown has determined the incidents are bylaw-related.

The owner has not been charged in relation to any of the incidents.

At least five dogs are seen outside a fenced yard in the town of Allan, Sask. Neighbours say they’ve been attacked by the animals. (Nicole DeCorby Hubbs/Submitted)

Online Petition

An online petition on Change.org started by Allan resident Corina Ukrainetz has so far been signed by nearly 300 people. It calls for the removal of five aggressive dogs that are said to live at one home in the town.

“It should not take multiple attacks to have these dogs removed from the Town of Allan,” it reads.

The petition also claims the group of dogs are entering private properties to target family pets.

Ukrainetz said she’s made written and verbal complaints to the Town office and RCMP, but nothing has changed.

“There has to be a point in time where all of these attacks overrule a bylaw and they have to be confiscated and removed from Allan. They should not be in any town,” she said in an interview with 650 CKOM.

Ukrainetz said she too is frustrated and scared, and she worries about potential vigilantism.

“I want the entire town to feel safe. My kids can’t even go for a walk without feeling unsafe,” she added.

Contact with dog owner

650 CKOM has attempted to contact the owner of the dogs, Kelly Hanson, via direct message on social media, without success.

An attempt to contact him was also made by traveling to his home on Aug. 21.

A request to speak with Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman has also been made to find out whether the Town of Allan and other small towns in Saskatchewan have any recourse dealing with potentially dangerous animals, other than incurring thousands of dollars in bills they say they can’t afford.

“We are doing our best. That’s all we can do for now,” said Lewis. “We have roadblocks that are up against us.”