Published Sept. 28, 2023 5:01 p.m. ET
Kristin Bailey and Andrea Jones on the Henry Street Dog Park in Woodstock, Ont. on Sept. 28, 2023. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)
Kristin Bailey says her neighbourhood canine park has turn out to be harmful.
While on the Henry Street Dog Park in Woodstock, Ont. Monday evening, she mentioned she was attacked by a person who lives in a close-by homeless encampment.
“I am very, very frustrated. This stuff shouldn’t be happening,” mentioned Bailey.
Bailey mentioned it was round 8:30 p.m. once they noticed a person come by the again gate of the park the place there aren’t any lights.
That’s when one in every of her dogs went into safety mode, barking and nipping on the man’s ankles. She mentioned an argument ensued between the person and herself, and that’s when he attacked her.
“He lunged at me, I put my hand up like this and he determined to throw in all probability 30 punches to my face and my head, and after I went down, proceeded to kick me whereas I used to be down,” she defined.
Her good friend Andrea Jones was along with her and witnessed the complete incident.
“Oh, I used to be terrified, I used to be freaking out,” mentioned Jones.
Kristin was transported to hospital, and mentioned she suffered a concussion and bruising on her face and ribcage.
The ladies mentioned there are a number of homeless encampments across the canine park, and folks will typically come by the again to get water from the fountain.
They are asking town to place further lighting behind the park, and shut down the encampments.
But Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione mentioned, “They have the right to be there in the eyes of the law, and we don’t have capacity at the Operation Aharing or In Out of the Cold, so therefor we have no rights to ask them to leave.”
Acchione mentioned town put collectively a activity drive in April to deal with homeless encampments.
“We’ve bought 25 extra beds coming on-line, the purpose is to have them up and prepared by the top of October, so that may make it a complete of fifty beds on the In Out of the Cold, run by Operation Sharing right here within the metropolis of Woodstock,” defined Acchione.
Kristin mentioned town advised her they’re getting further lighting added within the canine park – however they’re having points operating hydro to the again nook.
“It’s scary as a result of them coming in that again gate places our dogs in danger, in addition to places them liable to being harmed. If they chunk a kind of folks, it is our dogs which are in bother at that time,” mentioned Jones.
That's when one in every of her dogs went into safety mode, barking and nipping on the man's ankles. She mentioned an argument ensued between the person and herself, and that’s when he attacked her.
"He lunged at me, I put my hand up like this and he determined to throw in all probability 30 punches to my face and my head, and after I went down, proceeded to kick me whereas I used to be down,” she defined.
Her good friend Andrea Jones was along with her and witnessed the complete incident.
"Oh, I used to be terrified, I used to be freaking out," mentioned Jones.
Kristin was transported to hospital, and mentioned she suffered a concussion and bruising on her face and ribcage.
The ladies mentioned there are a number of homeless encampments across the canine park, and folks will typically come by the again to get water from the fountain.
They are asking town to place further lighting behind the park, and shut down the encampments.
But Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione mentioned, “They have the suitable to be there within the eyes of the legislation, and we do not have capability on the Operation Aharing or In Out of the Cold, so therefor we now have no rights to ask them to go away.”
Acchione mentioned town put collectively a activity drive in April to deal with homeless encampments.
"We’ve bought 25 extra beds coming on-line, the purpose is to have them up and prepared by the top of October, so that may make it a complete of fifty beds on the In Out of the Cold, run by Operation Sharing right here within the metropolis of Woodstock," defined Acchione.
Kristin mentioned town advised her they're getting further lighting added within the canine park - however they're having points operating hydro to the again nook.
"It's scary as a result of them coming in that again gate places our dogs in danger, in addition to places them liable to being harmed. If they chunk a kind of folks, it is our dogs which are in bother at that time," mentioned Jones.
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