A Nova Scotian community is rallying together with tens of thousands already raised in a GoFundMe for the mother of a teen boy who died after a vicious dog attack.

According to the fundraiser the 13-year-old’s name was Drew who shared with his mother a passion for horses as well as truck racing and everything outside.

The organizer, Trish Harris, describes the mother as a “wonderful woman” and says the community is “absolutely devastated” by the loss.

“My hope is to ease any financial burden so his mom can focus on grieving and heading during this unimaginable time,” says Harris.

RCMP say it was late Saturday afternoon in Welshtown when the boy was attacked by three “large-breed” dogs while riding a bicycle near his home.

He was taken to hospital where he later died.

The boy was in Grade 8 at Shelburne Regional High School.

The Tri-County Regional Centre for Education (TCRCE) says they extend “heartfelt sympathy” to all those affected.

“A loss such as this is felt widely, and we recognize the impact it has across our schools and broader communities,” says TCRCE.

The school board says supports are in place at Shelburne High and neighbouring schools today and the days ahead.

“We are committed to ensuring safe and caring environments. We will continue to monitor and respond to the needs of our communities as we navigate this profound loss together.”

RCMP working to ‘fully understand’ what happened

Meanwhile, RCMP say two Cane Corsos and a Rottweiler were the dogs involved.

Shelburne Staff Sgt. Mark Macpherson says it’s been an ‘extremely distressing and tragic incident’ for everyone involved.

in the days since the attack, he says investigators have been gathering video footage and going door-to-door in the immediate area.

They’ve also interviewed people about the dogs’ day-to-day movements.

“We’re taking statements, we’ve visited the scene. It’s obvious the dogs were off-property and on the roadway. We’re trying to determine how that happened,” said Staff Sgt. MacPherson.

He says it’s a somber feeling in the community.

“I would ask people as best they can to support this family in their grief, and this terrible time that they’re going through, and to let us continue to do our investigation.”

The dogs were euthanized, and he says the owners have been cooperative throughout the investigation.

No charges have been laid.