Dog owners at Cedarwood Village near Herongate Mall are keeping a closer eye on their pooches today, after a visit to the park turned tragic.

“It’s just so unbelievable how violent it was,” said Janet Reid, whose shih tzu Charlie was attacked Saturday afternoon, by what witnesses believe is a pitbull.

“Why the dog came loose, I don’t know,” said Reid.

Charlie’s injuries were so severe, he had to be put down.

Reid says she doesn’t want the pitbull-type dog to be put down, she just wants dog owners to be held responsible.

“I want to see something happen to the owner that will really make them think about doing this again,” said Reid. “He didn’t deserve this at all. Charlie didn’t deserve to go like this.”

Ottawa Bylaw has charged the owner of the pitbull-type dog. The breed of the dog has not been confirmed.