An 11-year-old girl and her mother were attacked by two Rottweilers in an Amherstburg neighbourhood on the morning of Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The incident, which has left the community concerned, occurred around 9:55 a.m. while the girl was walking her family dog.
The victim’s mother, Nina Di Maria, rushed to protect her daughter and their pet when the attack began. She sustained bites to her arm and both legs during the encounter. Neighbours intervened by throwing bricks at the animals until the owner arrived to retrieve them. Surveillance video captured the incident, showing that the dogs had escaped from a nearby backyard enclosure.
Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue confirmed that the town is currently investigating the attack and expects that actions will be taken against the owners within days. The mayor noted that the previous enclosure used to contain the dogs was not strong enough. Under town bylaws, owners can face fines of up to $300 for dogs running at large, with higher penalties for bites, and local officials may require that aggressive animals be muzzled while in public.
Since the attack, the 11-year-old victim has been described by her mother as petrified and has not returned to school. Di Maria stated that the incident has disrupted her family’s sense of safety, making her too afraid to walk their dog. While the neighbour installed a more secure fence on Thursday, the event has prompted renewed questions regarding local animal control policies. In 2019, town council members noted that Amherstburg lacks a detailed policy regarding animal management, and the current tethering limit of 10 hours remains less restrictive than in neighbouring municipalities.
Lynnette Bain, executive director of the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society, emphasized that free-roaming dogs are not acceptable in the community. She advised that anyone bitten by a dog should seek immediate medical care and contact local animal control services to ensure proper documentation and safety protocols are followed.
