A Halifax man says his dog had to be put down after being injured at a local dog park.

Mike Goneau told The Rick Howe Show he takes his Bernese Mountain Dog to the Mainland Common two or three times a day.

On Saturday, Bear fell into a hole at the park and shattered his shoulder.

“He was walking and sniffing like he always does, and then all of a sudden, I heard a scream and a holler that I’ve never heard out of an animal before,” said Goneau.

“He went down into the hole, the force of the weight of his own body snapped the bone,” he said. “I had to pull him up and carry him to the car as he was biting me because he was in such pain.”

Goneau said he knew in his heart the emergency vets wouldn’t be able to do much for the 10-year-old dog, but he wouldn’t have said no to anything that would have saved his life.

“Two hours later I was laying on the floor with him as they euthanized him.”

Goneau said he doesn’t want to see any other dog owners have to go through what he and Bear did this weekend.

Park issues have been brought to HRM’s attention

Resident George Hickey said this tragedy at the Mainland Common was unnecessary and didn’t have to happen.

He told NEWS 95.7 he has already met with councillors Russell Walker and Richard Zurawski and called 311 to discuss his safety concerns with the off-leash dog park.

Hickey said the facility is plagued by massive holes and he doesn’t understand why it’s taking so long to make the repairs.

“This is an hour and a half of clearing some debris, clearing some grass and filling holes so people and dogs who use the park don’t get hurt, it’s really, really simple,” he said.

Hickey said it’s ‘unforgivable and unacceptable’ that it’s taking this long to improve the conditions.

“This dog had to be put down, this isn’t just a dog to us, these are family members.”

“It’s in staff’s hands,” says Councillor Walker

Bedford Basin Councillor Russell Walker knows there are concerns at the Mainland Common and he’s planning on following up with municipal staff later Monday.

“I know where the two holes are, one’s a fairly big hole, it’s about 3 feet deep and 18 inches wide, the other one is not as big, but I know where they are, I’ve been there,” said Walker.

He said just last week he sent an updated email to staff about the holes in the grass and field, along with the holes in the fence and he’s still waiting for a reply.

“Staff have the emails, staff have the pictures, it’s in their hands.”

Walker said he also plans to take the issue up with HRM CAO Jacques Dube when he meets with him this afternoon, but Goneau said that doesn’t do him or his dog any good.

“My dog didn’t have to die this weekend,” said Goneau.