City applies to euthanize 3 dogs after fatal attack on senior

The City of Calgary says ithas submitted an application to Alberta's Court of Queen's Bench requesting three dogs that fatally attacked an 86-year-old woman be euthanized.

In a statement Thursday, the city said the application was submitted under the Dangerous Dogs Act, noting a court date for the application to be heard will be scheduled.

On June 5, a woman identified by neighbours as Betty Ann Williams was reportedly mauled by three dogs in a back alley while gardening in the northwest community of Capitol Hill.

Neighbours told CBC News they held Williams while she waited half an hour for an ambulance.

An EMS spokesperson said in June that paramedics brought the woman to Foothills Medical Centre, where she later died.

EMS's response time has since fallenunder scrutiny. Officials in charge of Alberta's emergency response system saidthe call was initiallylogged for police response, which caused a delay. However, neighbours said they were clear in their 911 calls that EMS was urgently needed.

Police said the dogs were owned by a neighbour. Authorities believethe dogs area North American pit bull terrier mix, a North American Staffordshire mix and an American pit bull.

The city added in its statement that community peace officers seized the three dogs and the animals would continue to be held depending on the outcome of the application.

"The Dangerous Dogs Act application deals only with the disposition of the dogs and requests that the court order the dogs involved in the incident to be humanely euthanized," wrote the city in a statement.

An investigation by the Calgary Police Service and Calgary Community Standards is ongoing.