Incident and Operational Review of Serious Dog Attacks

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The decision

2023-09-21 · Economic and Community Development Committee · adopted

As filed

The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Directed the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, in conjunction with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to review the incident on July 30, 2023 as well as the procedures and processes of Toronto Animal Services for the compliance and enforcement of Dangerous Dog orders, including in the immediate aftermath of a serious dog attack. 2.

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Directed the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to include the following in this review: a. Existing procedure for managing a severe dog mauling incident; b. Public notification of a dangerous dog order; c. Requirements and conditions of a dangerous dog order; d. Expedited removal of animals involved in the most serious attacks; e. Proactive enforcement and monitoring of dangerous dogs to ensure compliance; f. Response to serious dog mauling vs. a dog bite; g. Current emergency access to a Justice of the Peace and any recommendations for Provincial changes to allow Municipal Licensing and Standards/Animal Services to obtain emergency hearings after a severe dog attack; and h. The protocol that has been set up between Municipal Licensing and Standards/Animal Services and 311 for residents reporting dangerous dog matters. 3. Requested the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, to undertake in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health a review the procedures and processes of Toronto Public Health in relation to investigations in the immediate aftermath of a serious dog attack. 4. Requested the City Solicitor to report on options to make charges under Dangerous Dog legislation known to the public as well as public. 5. Directed that the above recommendations be reported back on in the first quarter of 2024.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

After a life changing mauling of a resident in my ward by an off leash dog that was under a Dangerous Dog order, I am requesting an immediate review of this incident as well as a comprehensive review of serious dog attacks and the implementation and follow up of Dangerous Dog orders. I am deeply concerned about a number of things that took place related to this mauling: The dogs involved were already under a dangerous dog order.

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The owner was not required to surrender the dogs in question to Animal Services which was terrifying for the surrounding neighbours. Animal Services did not take immediate steps to get a removal order from a Justice of the Peace These two dogs, which were under a Dangerous Dog order, were left in the care of the owner along with two other dogs that were also under Dangerous Dog orders. Toronto Public Health visited the apartment and saw there were 4 dogs - all of which had dangerous dog orders. After the attack Toronto Police took immediate steps and laid a serious charge against the owner - Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm. News release attached. I am not aware of any public charges laid against this owner by the City of Toronto.

Staff recommended

Councillor Paula Fletcher recommends that the Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Direct the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, in conjunction with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to review the incident on July 30th as well as the procedures and processes of Toronto Animal Services for the compliance and enforcement of Dangerous Dog orders, including in the immediate aftermath of a serious dog attack.

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2. Direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to include the following in this review: a. Existing procedure for managing a severe dog mauling incident b. Public notification of a dangerous dog order c. Requirements and conditions of a dangerous dog order d. Expedited removal of animals involved in the most serious attacks e. Proactive enforcement and monitoring of dangerous dogs to ensure compliance f. Response to serious dog mauling vs. a dog bite g. Current emergency access to a Justice of the Peace and any recommendations for Provincial changes to allow Municipal Licensing and Standards/Animal Services to obtain emergency hearings after a severe dog attack h. The protocol that has been set up between Municipal Licensing and Standards/Animal Services and 311 for residents reporting dangerous dog matters 3. Request the Deputy City Manager, Community & Social Services, to undertake in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health a review the procedures and processes of Toronto Public Health in relation to investigations in the immediate aftermath of a serious dog attack. 4. Request the City Solicitor to report on options to make charges under Dangerous Dog legislation known to the public as well as public. 5. Report on all these recommendations in Q1 2024.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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