N.S. RCMP closes investigation, won’t lay charges in boy’s dog attack death

WELSHTOWN – RCMP in Nova Scotia say there are insufficient grounds to lay charges following the death of a 13-year-old boy attacked by three dogs in January. 

Police said the boy, later identified as Drew Nickerson, was attacked on Jan. 3 by two cane corsos and a Rottweiler as he rode his bike on a gravel road in the rural community of Welshtown, N.S., about 170 kilometres southwest of Halifax. The Grade 8 student died from his injuries in a Halifax hospital two days later. The dogs involved were euthanized. 

Mounties said in a news release Thursday that their eight-month investigation included scanning video footage, interviews with neighbours and witnesses and a review of information from the medical examiner’s office.

The RCMP declined an interview request saying the investigation has concluded and it has no further information to provide as charges are not being laid. 

“This remains a heartbreaking incident,” RCMP Staff Sgt. Jeff LeBlanc said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the youth’s loved ones and everyone in the community who’s been affected by this loss.”

Charges have been laid in similar incidents. Earlier this month police in Port Moody, B.C., charged an owner with criminal negligence causing bodily harm after two large dogs mauled a woman causing “life-altering” injuries. Police said the dogs had previously been deemed aggressive and were required to wear muzzles, which they were not wearing at the time of the May attack. 

In 2024, two cane corsos with a history of violence killed an 11-year-old boy in their Edmonton owner’s home. The 46-year-old dog owner was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death in May of this year. 

Nickerson’s death saw an outpouring of support from across the country, including more than $150,000 in donations to the boy’s mother, who could not be reached Thursday. 

Nickerson, a soccer player and student at Shelburne Regional High School known for his love of outdoor activities, was remembered at his memorial service as kind and caring, often sharing his lunch money with other children.

At least two Nova Scotia municipalities have tried to ban certain dog breeds in recent years, but neither local government was able to enforce its bylaw. 

In 2019, a judge dismissed Clark’s Harbour’s order for a man to get rid of his therapy dog after a test confirmed it was a mix of five breeds, none of which was banned by the town. Earlier this year, a town official said the bylaw was still in place, but he said it was unlikely it would ever be enforced.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of the District of Guysborough used to ban certain breeds, but the ban was repealed in 2018 after the council tried to order a resident to get rid of a dog and was met with community backlash.

Other Canadian jurisdictions, including Montreal and Edmonton, have given up on trying to ban certain breeds. Instead, they now focus on dealing with dogs showing bad behaviour. In Montreal, they are subject to stricter rules like evaluations and muzzling. As well, dogs over 20 kilograms must wear a halter or harness attached to the leash.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2026.

— By Devin Stevens in Halifax.