Owner of dogs that bit children in Carnikava: 'We could not have imagined this'
After two dogs attacked kindergarten children in Carnikava, their owner says the animals escaped due to an unfortunate coincidence, while experts warn of a risk they could attack again.
Businessman Ivo Vasiļevskis, owner of two dogs that attacked a teacher and six children at the "Riekstiņš" kindergarten in Carnikava on Monday, told TV3 News he never imagined his animals could behave this way. Two of the injured girls remain in hospital.
According to the owner, the dogs escaped his property due to a combination of unfortunate circumstances — workers who had come to repair the sewage system accidentally left open a gate that was not supposed to be opened. Vasiļevskis said the dogs had lived in Latvia for four years, having been brought from Russia, grew up alongside small children, and had never previously shown aggression. He stressed that the property was secured and that the workers immediately called police, but events unfolded too quickly to prevent the attack.
Dogs moved to a kennel
Following the incident, both dogs were taken to a dog hotel in Baltezers and will not return home to Carnikava. The owner is now looking for new, separate homes for them, since a breeder advised that the dogs should not be kept together, as doing so risks a repeat of the dangerous situation.
Experts warn of risk
Lita Konopore, a representative of the Latvian Veterinary Association, said it is highly likely the dogs would behave the same way again in a similar situation. In her view, the animals should have been immediately placed in a shelter under state supervision, and rehoming them with other families should not be permitted in such cases.
Saulvedis Vārpiņš, a lawyer representing the injured children, criticized police for negligence, saying they have not contacted the parents and are delaying medical documentation of the injuries, even though bruising can fade quickly. State Police representative Simona Grāvīte said an expert examination will determine the severity of the injuries, after which a decision on the dogs' fate will be made. The dogs are currently isolated at a known location. It also emerged that the animals had not received their rabies revaccination on time.
