N.S. community gathers to remember 'kind, empathetic' boy who died in dog attack

A southwestern Nova Scotia community in mourning over the death of a 13-year-old killed in a dog attack gathered on Sunday to remember the boy who loved riding his bike and used to share his lunch money with other children.

At a community centre in Shelburne, N.S., people sat in dozens of folding chairs set up in neat rows. On top of a table at the front of the room lay flowers and photos of Drew Nickerson, and a bicycle with light blue tires was propped up nearby. The crowd stood as the family of Nickerson filed into the room, with his two brothers placing flowers on the table.

"The collective heart of our community is crushed today," said Rev. Shawn Hatfield, opening the ceremony for Nickerson, who was mauled by three dogs on Jan. 3 and died two days later in hospital.

"None of us are left untouched or unbroken by Drew's passing."

In addition to a large family presence, former teachers, classmates, friends, and soccer teammates attended the ceremony. A former teacher told the room that Nickerson was "kind, empathetic ... sweet, and endlessly curious about everything in the world."

Parise Jeffrey, his stepmother, said, "Saying goodbye to you doesn't feel real, and I don't think it ever will."

An obituary published by H.M. Huskilson's funeral home said the boy, who was born in Yarmouth, N.S., "could be found supplying other children with lunch even if he had to take from his own money or borrow from his auntie or other store clerks."

Photos and videos played during the service show him jumping off a dock to swim in a lake and riding an ATV or his motocross bike.

An online post from his soccer team — Southwest Blast FC — said Nickerson found great joy in the sport including an under-13 championship, "a moment that meant so much 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," said the post.

The RCMP have said two cane corsos and a Rottweiler attacked the boy as he rode his bike on Upper Sandy Cove Road in the community of Welshtown. They said all three dogs were euthanized.

After the attack, Nickerson was transported to hospital in Halifax and died from his injuries on Jan. 5. Residents in the Shelburne area immediately gathered to support the family.

A GoFundMe campaign to support Nickerson's family was originally set at $40,000. Within a week, it had raised nearly $150,000. At the funeral, Nickerson's aunt said that the family had received messages of support from across Canada.

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