Patrick Houle was found guilty of two counts of criminal negligence causing him harm for his recklessness in escaping his dogs and attacking elderly women in 2021.
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On August 31, 2021, in Val-des-Sources, in Estrie, the five Great Danes Patrick Houle escaped from the premises of the MTR company and attacked three elderly women who were traveling on the cycle path in the St-Barnabé sector. Two of them suffered injuries to their legs, arms, back and ribs.
Judge Conrad Chapdelaine doesn’t mince his words in his verdict. “The inaccuracies, exaggerations and contradictions in his statement are so great that the court does not give the defendant any credibility. The same applies to the credibility of his statement. (…) To say that the defendant has little concern for the truth is an understatement. »
The judge found that the defendant ignored numerous warnings over time and neglected the safety of others over several months.
According to prosecutor Me François Houle, the victims are relieved by this verdict. Members of the Quebec Association of Victims of Dog Attacks were also on hand to provide support. Dominique Alain, victim of a dog attack in Potton in 2019, believes the judge’s message is clear: an owner must be in control of and responsible for their animal at all times.
Patrick Houle will return to the Sherbrooke Courthouse on January 5 for sentencing.