Owners of all dogs who have been issued a dangerous dog order in Toronto should expect to receive a visit from officials in the near future as the city begins to implement new measures to respond to and prevent serious dog attacks.
During the visits, which began Wednesday and will be prioritized based on the severity of the incident, city staff will provide a new standardized sign that must be prominently posted on your property.
They will also remind owners of the requirements of their Dangerous Dog Order, which include muzzling their dogs when in public, obtaining a dangerous identification tag, providing socialization and training to their dogs, and refraining from using off-leash dog areas. .
Once the visits are complete, officials “will continue to conduct regular compliance checks and respond to complaints to ensure continued compliance,” the city said in a news release announcing the new rules.
Currently, there are 373 dangerous dog warrants across Toronto. A complete list of all dangerous places in the city can be found online.
Owners who fail to comply with a dangerous dog order could face fines of up to $615 or a court-issued fine of up to $100,000 upon conviction.
“Making our city safe means preventing negative encounters with dangerous dogs in public spaces. … The City of Toronto is committed to ensuring residents and animals are safe,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in the statement.
“If anyone observes a dangerous dog unmuzzled or in a dog park off leash, a report can be made to 311 and the matter will be investigated as soon as possible. “Simply keeping dogs on leashes protects everyone in the community.”
Dangerous dog measures reviewed after attack on East York woman
Last September, Toronto-Danforth County. Paula Fletcher called for a “thorough review of serious dog attacks and the implementation and monitoring of dangerous dog orders” after an East York woman was attacked by two dogs near her home and was seriously injured.
The two dogs involved in the July 30, 2023, incident were on dangerous dog warrants at the time, while the owner also had two other dogs in his possession that were also on dangerous dog warrants, Fletcher said in a letter from the September 6, 2023. to the count. Alejandra Bravo, president of the city’s Economic and Community Development Committee, along with its members.
Following that attack, Toronto police charged a suspect with criminal negligence causing bodily harm in connection with the incident.
Since then, there have been at least two more serious attacks involving dogs: one in Rexdale in February and another at the Little Norway playground along the boardwalk last month.
Both incidents involved dogs that were “unmuzzled and unleashed, despite having previously been issued a dangerous dog order prohibiting them from being in public without a leash or muzzle,” Fletcher said.
On March 20, Toronto City Council approved a series of new measures to address dangerous dogs in the city, including a public list of dangerous dogs, increased law enforcement and access to discounted dog training for those with dangerous dogs. that they can’t pay it. Councilors also requested that the province amend the Dog Owner Liability Act.
“I am very happy to see that the city is taking proactive steps to enforce dangerous dog orders. These steps will help ensure we prevent violent dog attacks before they happen,” Fletcher said in a news release.
“I believe this is the beginning of a new preventative model that focuses on the dogs that pose the greatest risk, holding dangerous dog owners accountable, and empowering residents to be aware of dangerous dogs in their neighborhood and how to report them.”
