A 13-year-old boy, Drew Nickerson, died after being attacked by three dogs in Shelburne, N.S. The community gathered to honor his kindness and remember his life.
Community Remembers 13-Year-Old Drew Nickerson After Dog Attack
A southwestern Nova Scotia community is mourning the death of 13-year-old Drew Nickerson, who was killed in a dog attack. On Sunday, people gathered to remember the boy who loved riding his bike and shared his lunch money with other children.
At a community centre in Shelburne, N.S., attendees sat in folding chairs arranged in rows. Flowers and photos of Drew Nickerson were displayed on a table at the front. A bicycle with light blue tires was propped nearby. The crowd stood as Nickerson’s family entered the room, with his two brothers placing flowers on the table.
“The collective heart of our community is crushed today,” said Rev. Shawn Hatfield, who opened the ceremony. Nickerson was mauled by three dogs on January 3 and died two days later in the hospital. “None of us are left untouched or unbroken by Drew’s passing,” he added.
Many former teachers, classmates, friends, and soccer teammates attended the ceremony. A former teacher described Nickerson as “kind, empathetic … sweet, and endlessly curious about everything in the world.”
Police revealed that the three large dogs involved in the attack were two Cane Corsos and one Rottweiler. Parise Jeffrey, Nickerson’s stepmother, expressed her grief, saying, “Saying goodbye to you doesn’t feel real, and I don’t think it ever will.”
An obituary from H.M. Huskilson’s funeral home stated that Nickerson, born in Yarmouth, N.S., often shared his lunch with other children, even using his own money or borrowing from his aunt or store clerks.
During the service, photos and videos showed him jumping off a dock to swim and riding an ATV or motocross bike. His soccer team, Southwest Blast FC, shared that Nickerson found joy in the sport, including winning an under-13 championship, which meant a lot to him and those around him.
“(He) will also be remembered for his bright smile, kindness, sense of humour and the light he brought to every space he entered,” the post stated.
The RCMP reported that the two Cane Corsos and a Rottweiler attacked Nickerson while he was riding his bike on Upper Sandy Cove Road in Welshtown. All three dogs were euthanized.
After the attack, Nickerson was taken to a hospital in Halifax, where he died from his injuries on January 5. Residents in the Shelburne area quickly gathered to support the family.
A GoFundMe campaign to assist Nickerson’s family was initially set at $40,000. Within a week, it raised nearly $150,000. At the funeral, Nickerson’s aunt mentioned that the family received messages of support from across Canada.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim’s Name | Drew Nickerson |
| Age | 13 |
| Location of Attack | Upper Sandy Cove Road, Welshtown, N.S. |
| Date of Attack | January 3 |
| Date of Death | January 5 |
| Dog Breeds Involved | 2 Cane Corsos, 1 Rottweiler |
| GoFundMe Goal | $40,000 |
| Amount Raised | Nearly $150,000 |
