Police charge woman ordered vicious dog attack on friend

Calgary - An Alberta woman is accused of using her dogs as weapons ordering them to attack her friend. The victim suffered serious injuries to her face and arms.

The Calgary Herald reports that police have issued an arrest warrant for 57-year old Rita Phillip, of Sundre, Alberta on charges of aggravated assault. Police allege that she ordered her two pitbull-type dogs to attack a 26-year old woman, described as a friend, and then fleeing on foot. Police say the incident happened at a trailer park in Sundre, about 130km northwest of Calgary, and decided to lay the charges after interviewing the victim in hospital. RCMP Sgt. Frank Smart tells CTV News, "The RCMP had reasonable grounds to believe that she was responsible for the attack on our victim." "Her actions led to the dogs attacking the victim." But police don't know yet what led to the vicious attack. Smart tells The Herald, the victim is now listed in critical but stable condition. “The injuries were very severe." “There were very little signs of life. They located a very traumatic scene, obviously.” Smart adds, "You’re looking at wounds where flesh is actually taken off and the victim in this case may have lost part or her entire ear.” Police say the woman was found unconscious after barricading herself in a bedroom. The dogs were apparently locked in another bedroom and were doing everything they could to get out. Smart tells The Herald, “They were quite agitated and throwing themselves against the door.” The Toronto Sun reports, the dogs each weight between 80-90 pounds and that police say one of the dogs charged at officers and was shot and killed. The other dog was tranquilized and is now in quarantine.