Up front: Heroes get medal for 2011 Cowichan RV rollover rescue page A3 On stage: Chemainus Theatre takes Moliere to the Wild West page A19
Your news leader since 1905
For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Appalled drivers watch as pooch beaten like a dog Ashley Degraaf
News Leader Pictorial
T
he word about a low-life Cowichanian who assaulted a Boston Terrier in front of bystanders is spreading like wildfire on Cowichan’s social media pages. “We’ve had 22,000 page visits and 348 shares. I’m absolutely gobsmacked,” said Chris Davies Tuesday after a Facebook post he created telling the nasty and violent story he and wife Leigh witnessed Sunday afternoon. “We were witnesses today to the shocking, horrifically emotional abuse of a lovely little Boston Terrier,” Davies, owner of Mid Island Ink Depot, said on the post. The couple was driving on Cowichan Lake Road when they spotted the dog stepping with caution onto the road at the Gerz Road turnoff, he explained. They slowed and pulled over, flashing their lights to warn oncoming traffic to stop. That’s when the situation turned ugly. Chris Davies was appalled after witness- “We saw a 20-someing a dog (not this one) beaten Sunday. thing thug coming down Gerz Road, obviously the owner of (the dog) shouting... (The dog) was cowering now and sat down in the middle of the road.” According to Davies, the “thug” then pinned the terrier by the neck to the road and punched him three times in the head. And that’s not all. “He then picks him up by the scruff and flings him over the road and into the ditch,” said Davies. Davies as well as another bystander addressed the man and heated words were exchanged, including what Davies said was a nasty threat by the man to his wife, Leigh, when she said she was going to call 911. “He said, ‘I’ll f---ing kill you if you dial 911,” said Davies. Now back in their vehicle, Chris and Leigh, who had also called police by then, followed the man to the house he came from at 4400 Inwood Creek Rd. They pointed the house out to police officers. North Cowichan/Duncan Cpl. Jon Stuart confirmed the incident is under investigation. “The police have located and spoken to the male, and checked out the dog to ensure no visible injury,” said Stuart. “This matter and all relevant information, has been referred to the SPCA for their subsequent investigation and follow up, as they are the lead agency in these sort of files.” more on A12
Duncan fire chief Mike McKinlay keeps an eye on the burning power lines during a structure fire at 491 Bundock Street at 11:50 p.m. Sunday.
Smoke detector saves Duncan couple from fire Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
A
blaze just before midnight Sunday at 491 Bundock St. in Duncan once again proved the value of properly-working smoke detectors. Occupants Karen and Nathan Taylor escaped unharmed from the fire at their residence. “They woke up to their smoke detector,’’ said Duncan fire chief Mike McKinlay. “Their living room was on fire. The smoke detector saved their lives.’’ The residence was already fully engulfed when 23 Duncan firefighters arrived on four trucks.
“It was coming out the front windows of the living room,’’ said McKinlay. He added it took about two hours to mop up the blaze. There’s an apartment block on the north side and an eight-unit facility to the south of the residence, McKinlay said, but there was no danger of the blaze spreading. A nearby power line caught fire, but “they burnt off at the pole,’’ said McKinlay. The family has been displaced from its home temporarily. “We provided them with emergency social services, as usual,’’ said Sybille Sanderson, general manager of the public safety department for the Cowichan Valley Regional District. “As far as I know, they are OK and have family and friends to stay with.’’
It’s believed the house was insured, but not the contents. The cause of the fire was not known. A closer inspection into the cause was delayed by a day due to resources being sent to Port Alberni for an investigation into a fatality. Stephanie Donahue, who lives right across from the burned-out residence on Powell Street, has started a collection for the couple via Facebook and word of mouth. Donations can be dropped off at Donahue’s father’s business, Duncan Auto Glass, at Unit 3-2905 Allenby Road between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. more on A12
START YOUR SPRING OFF RIGHT!
Check out Duncan’s Finest Used Cars & Trucks Today!
2003 Mini Cooper Stk#33-198A
$10,995 DL#5963
Andrew Leong
6466 Bell McKinnon Road, Duncan
2009 VW Jetta TDI Stk#32-124A
$19,995 250-748-5814
2005 Honda Accord Coupe EX V6 Stk#B1144
$11,995 www.discoveryhonda.com