No charges laid in dog attack that killed 13-year-old boy
Posted Aug 27, 2026 11:30:10 AM.
RCMP say that through a “comprehensive investigation” they have determined there were no grounds to lay charges against the owner of the three dogs who killed a boy earlier this year.
Drew Nickerson was attacked by a Rottweiler and two cane corsos as he rode his bicycle by a property in the community of Welshtown, N.S., Jan. 3. He died from his serious injuries two days later in a Halifax hospital.
The incident captured the attention of people across the province, and renewed calls for strengthening dog bylaws.
Police conducted an eight-month investigation to determine whether the owner of the three dogs was liable for the incident. They gathered witness interviews, video footage and reviewed the evidence from the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service.
The three dogs were euthanized days after the attack.
On Aug. 27, RCMP concluded in a press release that there “were insufficient grounds to lay charges.”
“This remains a heartbreaking incident,” S/Sgt. Jeff LeBlanc, Shelburne RCMP, said. “Our thoughts are with the youth’s loved ones and everyone in the community who’s been affected by this loss.”
Community remembers the bright boy
An obituary page for Nickerson remembers the boy as a “kind, loving ‘outdoor kid’ through and through, who enjoyed riding and ramping his bike.”
“He had a special love for horses and all animals, especially his loyal dog Zig whom he loved beyond words,” it reads.
