Deer kills dog in Oak Bay backyard

Good morning !

Lots of animals in the news this morning—and not for the right reasons.
We’ve got an Oak Bay dog killed by a deer—a big buck, much larger than what we have pictured below—and two other canines who attacked a woman in Sidney.
There was also a carjacking in the city on Halloween.
My advice: check out our first story and find peace in the beauty of nature.

Oh, and don’t forget to turn back your clocks before you hit the hay tonight.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 11 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌥️ 12 / 7

Monday: 🌦️ 12 / 8

7-day forecast

NEWS

Where to see the fabulous fall colours in Greater Victoria

The fall season is well underway and the city’s colour palette has changed with it.

A walk outdoors will get you a wonderful view of vivid pops of red, yellow, orange, and brown dotting the treetops. While you can catch these changes in all CRD neighbourhoods right now, there are some key spots around town where you can fully immerse yourself in nature’s eye-catching show.

Check out our full list of autumnal walking spots here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Turn clocks back an hour to Standard Time after midnight.

Crystal Pool pop-up info session at Bay Centre. [10am-2pm]

Traffic disruptions and CCTV use for downtown demonstration for Gaza today. [2-4pm]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Deer kills dog in Oak Bay backyard

Pet owners are being reminded that Island deer are rutting and that may make them a little more ornery than usual.

That point was sadly brought home this week when an eight-point buck speared a 40-lb Husky-Shepherd with its antlers, killing the dog in an Oak Bay backyard. 

“The homeowners witnessed it, unfortunately,” Oak Bay Police Sgt. Kevin Diachina told Capital Daily.

Diachina said the dog was let out into the backyard of a home on Newport near Windsor, at about 7:30 Wed. night. 
The owners didn’t notice a big buck eating vegetation in the garden. The dog did, and when it approached the buck made a powerful move.

“The dog got within four or five feet of it, and then the buck just lowered its head and then kind of bucked the dog away—but piercing the dog on its side,” Diachina said.

The owners rushed their 15-year-old dog to the vet, but it had lost too much blood and died at the clinic. Daiachina said the pet owners called police to let them know so they could warn other pet owners of the potential danger some of these deer pose to smaller animals.

“The dog didn't do anything aggressive. It was just wandering,” Diachina said. “Probably, [it] smelled the deer… this time of season being the rut season.”

When deer rut—usually between now and Jan.—their sexual excitement and reproductive activity run high. Mature bucks abandon their daytime habits and spend much of their time searching for a mate. They become increasingly territorial and can spar with other bucks to establish dominance.

As far as advice for people with pets, Diachina reiterated what’s been advised a lot this time of year.

“Definitely keep your distance and be calm, and don't make any sudden kind of movements towards the deer. Just respect the distance of them, because this is rut season and they can be aggressive.”

SPONSORED BY SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP

Victoria is rising. Rise with us

Greater Victoria is rising, and we want to attract businesses and talent, including essential workers, to strengthen our regional economy. This is why the South Island Prosperity Partnership launched the Victoria Rising regional place-branding initiative, which promotes our region as a hub of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Join for free today and gain access to a brand toolkit including professional photography, videos, and graphics by local talent to promote our region. Victoria Rising also showcases stories of people who have moved from other parts of the world and explores what makes this region such a special place to live, work, and thrive. Profiles include doctors, entrepreneurs, innovators, and artists.

Follow @makevictoriahome on Instagram and rise with us.

⭐️ Capital Picks

♥️ Help relocate a Syrian refugee family to Victoria. [Fundraiser tonight]

🧍Why get a Dexa body composition scan? A Dexa scan gives you a complete picture of your bone density, lean mass, and fat tissue and helps identify health risks. Book now at Tall Tree Health.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Not a trick: carjacking at Saanich McDonald’s on Halloween night
It happened at the drive-thru on Saanich Road at roughly 6:45pm. The suspect, wearing a mask, walked up to a black 2002 Honda Civic and opened the driver’s door. They said they had a weapon and demanded the driver get out, then jumped in and took off eastbound on Saanich. The driver—shaken up but unhurt—went into the restaurant where someone called police, who now seek witnesses and dashcam footage. [Saanich Police]

2 dogs attack and pin down a woman in Sidney, say witnesses
The Shop co-owner Katherine Margetts says she was standing in front of her store on First when she heard a ruckus and turned to see the attack. Other witnesses helped the woman up, brought her into another store, and called 911. Margetts told CHEK the dogs got out of a fenced yard and their owner arrived to catch them. Per Margetts, the woman suffered arm bites and was taken to hospital. Animal Control is now involved. [CHEK]

Popular playwright accused of “pretendianism” opens play in Victoria
A report from The Walrus has called into question the Métis heritage claims of playwright Jani Lauzon whose play, 1939, premiered at the Belfry last night. Lauzon has said the play is based on her father’s time at a residential school. However, the school he attended was not identified as a residential school and Lauzon couldn’t specify where her Métis family came from. She said that 2022 genealogy test results were not what she expected. Since The Walrus reached out, Lauzon has stopped identifying as Métis—which she says she had used as an outdated term for any part-Indigenous mixed heritage. When the Belfry asked Indigenous people—including a staff member—to consult on the script, concerns about the content were raised but not addressed by the theatre. [The Walrus]

🗓️ Things to do

🛍️ Fall Fling Market: Join 30+ local and handmade artisans to launch the holiday season at the Bay Centre. Today. 10am- 6pm. [Info]

🎻 Murdoch Mysteries in Concert: Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how the music for CBC’s hit TV series Murdoch Mysteries is made at Royal Theatre. Tonight. 7:30pm. Tomorrow. 2:30pm.  [Info]

💀 Day of the Dead Celebration: Día de Muertos: Discover all the Mexican traditions that bring this day to life at Sea Cider. Today. 2-6pm. [Info]

💐 Day of the Dead Party: Celebrate the Mexican holiday with a Catrinas fashion show, cultural celebration, DJ, altars expo, food, and drinks at Victoria Odd Fellows tonight. 6pm. [Info]

💃 Spooky Salsa and Bachata Night: Dance the night away at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre with an evening of Halloween salsa, bachata, and more. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

☠️ Día de los Muertos: Lucky Bar's night of dancing and celebrating the Day of the Dead tonight. 10pm [Info]

🤩 View Royal's Got Talent: Head to the View Royal Community Hall for a night of competing performances. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎃Colwood Pumpkin Smash: Enjoy a fun way to dispose of your jack-o’-lantern at Colwood City Hall. Smash it with a snowblower, fire hose, or heavy-duty equipment. Today. 12-2pm. [Info]

🎄Cordova Bay Art Group: Original paintings, art cards, and unique handcrafted creations at Cordova Bay School. Today. 10am-3pm. [Info]

🎸 Halloween covers concert fundraiser: Local bands play Thin Lizzy, Hendrix, Sabbath, and more to support Cavity Curiosity shop following tragedy. Oaklands Community Centre tonight, 6–11:30pm. [Tickets]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: CRD tourism passes pre-pandemic levels; Arrest made in Colwood fire, firearm case; Fairfield storekeeper aims to be bulletproof; And more. [Nov. 1]

Group sponsors Syrian refugee family for a move to Victoria. [Capital Daily]

Reena Virk’s killer’s day parole extended. [Times Colonist]

Langford Official Community Plan: Have your say. Survey + an open house today (10am-1pm at Ruth King).

Trails reopen: All trails in Sea to Sea, Sooke Potholes regional parks are again accessible; Old Man Lake fire officially out. [Details]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

And before you go, let us know: