An eight-year-old Alaskan malamute named Girlie is at the heart of a court case in St. John's that pits the SPCA against the dog's owner.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals asked a provincial court judge on Monday for permission to destroy the animal, arguing in court documents that it is dangerous and aggressive, is responsible for killing another dog and is a threat to people.

St. John's shelter director Debbie Powers said her group, which normally fights to protect animals, believes the move would be in the best interest of public safety.

"I blame the owner," she said. "I honestly blame people if they don't put the time mostly into their animals. Socially, that animal needed interaction with people ... you live in total isolation on a chain -- what are you learning? You are only learning to protect yourself."

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Do you think that dogs who attack other animals are a threat to humans?