Following a rise in vicious dog attacks since 2022, owners of dogs deemed dangerous by the City of Toronto are now facing stricter regulations. City staff will be visiting dog owners with dangerous dog orders to inform them of the new rules they must adhere to. These new guidelines were approved by the city council in March and there are currently 373 dangerous dog orders in effect across the city.
During the visits, city staff will prioritize based on the severity of incidents. Non-compliance with the orders may result in fines of up to $615 or a court-issued fine of up to $100,000 upon conviction. Owners will also receive a standardized sign to be displayed on their property warning of a dangerous dog on the premises.
Owners of dangerous dogs will be required to muzzle their dogs in public, obtain a dangerous dog tag, provide socialization and training to their dogs, and refrain from using off-leash areas. Regular compliance checks will be conducted to ensure adherence to these rules.
Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized the importance of keeping dogs leashed in public spaces to prevent negative encounters. The city has also published a public list of dangerous dogs for residents to be aware of.
Recent incidents involving dog attacks have prompted the city to take stricter measures. These incidents included severe injuries to individuals and non-compliance with previous dangerous dog orders. City officials are committed to enforcing these regulations to prevent future violent dog attacks.
Increased enforcement of dangerous dog regulations was deemed essential for public safety by Councilor Alejandra Bravo, who advocated for additional funds for animal control in the city’s budget. The goal is to continue escalating actions to reduce dangerous dog incidents and ensure the safety of all community members.
Director of Animal Services Dr. Esther Attard highlighted the importance of leash laws in preventing dog attacks. She stated that most dog attacks could have been prevented if dogs were on leashes. The city experienced an increase in service requests related to potentially dangerous dog acts in recent years.
It is strongly recommended that all dog owners keep their dogs on leashes while in public, except in designated off-leash areas. This simple measure is crucial for the safety of the community.
According to a spokesperson, the practice of leashing dogs is essential to prevent dangerous incidents. “We urge all dog owners to take responsibility and ensure their dogs are leashed and under control when in public spaces,” she emphasized.
