Help Two Canandaigua Families Heal From Brutal Dog Attack

On August 29, 2024, my good friend Rory Van Grol (beloved owner of Rochester’s Ugly Duck Coffee) was walking down Main Street Canandaigua with his 9-year-old son, when they were brutally attacked by a dog that was running free. According to witnesses, the dog ran down the sidewalk, passing by other people when it attacked the boy. When Rory intervened, the dog began to attack him. Thankfully, some good samaritans wrestled the dog off him but not before Rory suffered large lacerations and disfigurement on his back and arms. His son suffered large lacerations on his back. Both were sent by separate ambulances to Strong hospital. Rory has a long road to recovery ahead.

Just a few weeks before, on Aug. 12, the same dog was running free in a neighborhood and randomly attacked and injured a 3-year-old child who was playing in a lawn on Chapin Street. According to his mother, he is now battling an infection and the medical bills are already piling up. The boy’s mother took the dog’s owners to court, requesting the dog be humanely euthanized. It was ordered training classes.

This GoFundMe will be shared with both families, as they attempt to heal both physically and emotionally from these traumatic events. You can read more about what happened in The Democrat & Chronicle. Official police press release here.

Your support, no matter how small, can make a huge difference for both families facing mounting medical bills. Please consider donating and sharing with others who might help. Thank you!