City of Toronto taking actions to address dangerous dog behaviour

April 24, 2024

The City of Toronto is engaging in multiple actions regarding dangerous dogs following the approval of new measures by Toronto City Council on Wednesday, March 20. 

Starting today, and for the next month, City staff will visit owners of all dogs who have received a dangerous dog order. There are currently 373 dangerous dog orders across the city.

City staff will deliver a new standardized sign for owners of these dangerous dogs which must be visibly posted on their property. City staff will also remind owners of the requirements of their dangerous dog order. Visits will be prioritized based on severity of the incidents. If there is non-compliance with any part of the order, enforcement action will be taken which may include fines of up to $615 or a court-issued fine of up to $100,000 upon conviction.  

Following these proactive visits, City staff will continue to conduct regular compliance checks and respond to complaints to ensure continued compliance.    

As well as posting the City's new warning sign, owners with dangerous dog orders must follow the requirements of the dangerous dog order by muzzling their dogs when they are in public, obtain a dangerous dog tag, provide socialization and training to their dogs and not use dogs off-leash areas. 

The City has posted a public list of dangerous dogs that includes the first three digits of the postal code for the dog owner, ward number, the dog's name, breed and colour, and the date of the dangerous act. This list and other helpful information are available on the City's Dangerous Dog webpage.  

Dangerous dog incidents  

Following increases in dog attacks since 2022 which included serious maulings of an East York woman in the summer of 2023 and a young boy in March 2024 by dogs already under Dangerous Dog Orders, Toronto Animal Services reviewed the current procedures and processes for dangerous dog incidents.

In March, City Council approved program improvements that include increased enforcement, a public list of dangerous dogs, a standard dangerous dog warning sign, access to discounted dog trainings for those with dangerous dogs who cannot afford training. City Council also requested the Province of Ontario to amend the Dog Owners' Liability Act to strengthen the processes to deal with dog maulings. 

Shared responsibility  

If residents observe a dog they believe to have a dangerous dog designation without its muzzle or in an off-leash dogs park, a complaint can be made to 311 and the matter will be investigated. The City encourages people to share evidence (such as photographs, videos or written descriptions) to help with enforcement actions. More information on who to call and how the City responds to dangerous dog incidents is available on the City's website. 

Leash your dog

Most dog attacks can be prevented if dogs are kept on a leash. Residents are reminded that it is a bylaw requirement for all dog owners to keep their dogs on leashes when out in public (except when in designated dogs off-leash areas). The most impactful action owners can undertake is prevention. 

Off-leash dogs areas 

There are currently 79 dogs off-leash areas across Toronto, with 10 more expected to open in the next five years. Last fall, City Council asked City staff to develop a citywide approach to dogs off-leash areas and staff are currently undertaking a review to better understand Toronto's needs - with a report expected by the end of 2024. 

More information about owning a dog in Toronto is available on the City's responsible dog ownership webpage. 

 Quotes:

 "Making our city safe means preventing negative encounters with dangerous dogs in public spaces. If someone observes a dangerous dog without its muzzle or in an off-leash dog park, a complaint can be made to 311 and the matter will be investigated as soon as possible. The simple act of keeping dogs on leashes protects everyone in the community. The City of Toronto is committed to ensuring residents and animals are safe." 

- Mayor Olivia Chow 

"These new measures are designed to ensure dog owners are held accountable and comply with all requirements of a dangerous dog order and help local residents understand the requirements of owning a dog under such an order.

- Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth)   

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