‘My dogs were never trained to harm nobody’: Dog owner speaks out after court rules dogs euthanized in fatal senior death

An emotional Denis Bagaric spoke to CTV News outside of court on Thursday after a judge ruled his two remaining dogs would be killed, after a two year court battle on their fate, for the role they played in the death of a Calgary senior in June 2022.

An emotional Denis Bagaric spoke to CTV News outside of court on Thursday after a judge ruled his two remaining dogs would be killed, after a two year court battle on their fate, for the role they played in the death of a Calgary senior in June 2022.

"It's a big mess up," said Bagaric. "I wake up every morning screaming and crying."

Bagaric tried holding back tears, but was emotional as he recalled that day. He was hosting a barbeque where Williams was invited, before the dogs got out and mauled her to death.

It's been a nightmare," he said. "Before I came to Canada, life was hell, but then as you grow older, you develop love and things you care for. I love animals, it's kind of my favorite thing. I loved Betty. So it's hard. I never wanted all the dogs. I couldn't find homes for them. Nobody wanted them. So I kept them.  I expected a fairy tale and here we are."

Smoki, Cinnamon and Bossi are Staffordshire terrier dogs. Smoki has since been euthanized for the role he played in the death of Betty Ann Williams June 5, 2022.

The 86-year-old suffered fatal injuries to her head, neck, face and body that led to her death after three dogs escaped a fenced and gated backyard and attacked her while she was gardening in a back alley.