A dog has reportedly died from injuries caused by an off-leash dog at Centennial Park over the Family Day long weekend.  

According to sources, a springer spaniel violently attacked a small white Bichon mix dog on Saturday (Feb. 15). The owner was stunned after witnessing the brutal attack on their 16-year-old family dog and took some time to calm down after a man stopped to help. 

Sources say the owner of the attacking dog covered the cost of the injured dog's treatment at a Saanichton veterinary clinic.

CRD Animal Control received the incident report on Sunday (Feb. 16) at 6 p.m. A CRD spokesman said animal control is investigating the incident but would not provide any other details.

At least three discussion threads about the park incident were started on a Central Saanich Facebook page, with some members even claiming that it was not the dog's first attack. 

鈥淚've seen that same dog many times and seen it get into fights,鈥� said one group member. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 the first time it had shown aggression.鈥� 

The fatal attack sparked concerns from residents about the park鈥檚 safety from off-leash dogs with many saying they should not be allowed around Centennial Park.

The Central Saanich website states dogs must be kept under control while visiting Centennial Park. 

Some say the problem is with the dog owners. 

鈥淲e need off-leash places for our dogs 鈥� what we don鈥檛 need are irresponsible and careless dog owners to ruin it for us,鈥� said another resident. 鈥淎nimal control must take the vicious attack seriously.鈥� 

According to CRD, under Section 49 (1b) of the Community Charter of B.C., 鈥淎 dog is declared 鈥榙angerous鈥� if it has killed or seriously injured a domestic animal, while in a public place or while on private property, other than property owned or occupied by the person responsible for the dog.鈥�