In Toronto, owners of dangerous dogs are facing stricter rules as the city cracks down on dog attacks that have been occurring in recent years. These new rules were approved by city council in March and are now being implemented. Dog owners who have received a dangerous dog order will be visited by city staff over the next month. There are currently 373 dangerous dog orders in place across the city. During these visits, owners will be given a standardized sign to be posted on their property, and they will be reminded of the requirements of their dangerous dog order. Visits will be prioritized based on the severity of the incidents, and enforcement action will be taken if there is non-compliance, including fines of up to $615 or a court-issued fine of up to $100,000 upon conviction.
In addition to the new sign, dangerous dog owners must ensure that their dogs are muzzled when in public, obtain a dangerous dog tag, provide socialization and training to their dogs, and refrain from using dog off-leash areas. These measures are being implemented in response to a rise in dog attacks since 2022, including serious maulings of an East York woman in 2023 and a young boy last month by dogs that were already under dangerous dog orders. Toronto Animal Services conducted a review of current procedures and processes, leading to the approval of program improvements by the city council in March. These improvements include increased enforcement, a public list of dangerous dogs, a standard dangerous dog warning sign, and access to discounted dog training for those who cannot afford it.
Council also requested amendments to the Dog Owners’ Liability Act to strengthen the way dog maulings are handled. Residents are encouraged to report any dogs they believe have a dangerous dog designation without their muzzle or in off-leash dog parks by calling 311, and the matter will be investigated. The city also urges people to provide evidence, such as photographs, videos, or written descriptions, to assist with enforcement actions. These new rules are part of the city’s efforts to promote responsible dog ownership and ensure the safety of residents, following a series of dog attacks that have raised concerns about public safety and the need for stricter regulations.
The city of Toronto is taking action to address the issue of dangerous dogs and prevent future attacks by implementing new rules for owners of such dogs. These rules require owners to post a standardized sign on their property, ensure that their dogs are muzzled in public, obtain a dangerous dog tag, provide socialization and training to their dogs, and refrain from using dog off-leash areas. Enforcement actions will be taken against non-compliant owners, including fines of up to $615 or a court-issued fine of up to $100,000 upon conviction. The city council approved these program improvements in response to an increase in dog attacks, including serious incidents involving dogs that were already under dangerous dog orders.
Toronto Animal Services conducted a review of current procedures and processes, leading to the implementation of these new rules. In addition to the new rules, the city council has requested amendments to the Dog Owners’ Liability Act to strengthen the handling of dog maulings. Residents are encouraged to report any dogs they believe have a dangerous dog designation without their muzzle or in off-leash dog parks, and the city will investigate these reports. The city is also urging people to provide evidence to assist with enforcement actions, such as photographs, videos, or written descriptions. These measures are part of the city’s efforts to promote responsible dog ownership and ensure the safety of residents in light of recent dog attacks that have raised concerns about public safety.
