A 12-year-old terrier died after a violent dog-on-dog attack in Canandaigua that has sparked an investigation by the Ontario County Humane Society.
Police say the attack happened around 8:30 a.m. on March 23, near Mason and Clark streets. Officers were responding to reports of a loose dog when the situation escalated. Before they arrived, a pit bull broke free from its leash and attacked the terrier, leaving the smaller dog critically injured.
The pit bull’s owner, 30-year-old Alyssa Kemp of Canandaigua, managed to pull her dog off the terrier and restrained it until police arrived. Officers helped the terrier’s owner get the dog to an emergency vet, but it died during transport. Authorities secured the pit bull in a patrol car and notified the Humane Society.
Following the investigation, Kemp was issued a summons for having a dangerous dog and is scheduled to appear in Canandaigua City Court on March 31. The pit bull remains in the custody of the Humane Society pending a court decision.
Officials confirmed the dog had one prior incident in 2023, involving running at large in Farmington.
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