Dog attacks

Since 2018, some skaters have either been attacked by off-leash dogs or fallen due to menacing dog behavior. The problem is always the same where an entitled dog owner feels that the surrounding space belongs to them and gangs up on the victim for trying to defend himself or herself.

Sometimes the dogs are off leash and sometimes with over extended leashes. The leash must not be more than 2 meters. Leashes longer than 2 meters are illegal.

If you experience this type of situation, you should also sue the dog owner for the consequences that the attack has caused you, such as but not limited to lost work days to recover from the injury, trauma, PTSD, etc.

Although this page should not be used as legal aid for a lawsuit, chances are that if you are well informed and diligent with the process, the dog owner will settle with you for a lot less money than having to hire a lawyer and go lose the case in court.

Liability

• Dog owner liability
• Dog Bite Attack: Dog Owner Law and Liability Basics
• What are the Laws About Dog Bites in Canada?

Act and regulations

Liability of owner

• Dog Owners' Liability Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16
• Dog Owners' Liability Act, RSO 1990, c D.16

2 (1) The owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal.  R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16, s. 2 (1).

City laws

Toronto

A fine of up to $365 can be issued for allowing a dog to run off-leash except in a designated dogs off-leash area. The charge is $300, plus a $60 victim’s surcharge, and a $5 administration fee.

• Dogs Off-Leash
• TORONTO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 349, ANIMALS
• TORONTO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 608, PARKS

Hamilton

• Rules and Regulations for Hamilton, Ontario Dog parks
• PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Operations & Maintenance Division

Skating locations

• Careful. A guy walking 2 large aggressive dogs off-leash on High Park
• Dog owner facing charges in connection with attack on Hamilton woman near Chedoke Radial Trail

Other locations

• Owner arrested after dog attack in Toronto’s east end that was captured on video
• Community urged to use ‘extreme caution’ after boy mauled by an off-leash dog in schoolyard

Toronto Attacks

• Report calls for changes to how dog attacks are handled in wake of recent mauling
• Toronto issues warning to dog owners after more than 200 incidents so far this year

High Park

High Park #Toronto 6:15 pm 02/02/2024

An older gentleman #rollerblading loops on high park gets a dangerous menacing act by a dog on loose, almost fell on his back and suffers a panic attack

When trying to identify the dog owner to report her to the #police, he gets ganged up by a couple that was passing by, told to get out of the #park and accused of what he did not do. He was insulted, gaslighted, given the "finger" and made feel like he was the attacker.

The couple does everything they can to prevent the dog owner from being identified, reported and made accountable under the #law. Hearing and believing all this a second man passing by stops and angrily walks towards the direction of the rollerblader to engage him.

The #bicycle was being used by the dog owner who was on the bicycle with her dog loose since she removed it from the #rental rack.

In the video the dog owner is seen lying stating that the dog was on a leash which is a lie. She never apologized. The #female may have delivered the bicycle to the rack around 6:25 pm. She may live in the High Park area.

The rollerblader is asking help to identify this woman and either report her to the authorities and send the authorities this video or let us know.

We have viewed the full video from a insta360 camera (second camera). Do not let #victim to be accused of what did not happen.

Dog attacks have been on a rise since 2018. This blader has been attacked before and has fallen because of dogs. It could be you, a #jogger or a #cyclist or your child on a #skate park or #rink being mauled to death by dog. We have videos of dogs on a loose everywhere including skate parks, rinks, sports tracks, etc.

Scarborough

• 2 men charged after young girl bitten by loose dogs in Scarborough

East York

• Dog attack in East York leaves woman with serious injuries; owner charged

Etobicoke

• Woman left with life-altering injuries after reported dog attacks in Etobicoke

Hamilton attacks

• Hamilton man charged in Brant County dog attack
• Debate ensues after dog reportedly bites cyclist

Dog Bite Statistics

Top 12 Canada Dog Bite Statistics

• It’s estimated that there are over 500,000 dog bites annually in Canada.
• About 500 Canada Post workers are bitten every year.
• Canadians are twice as likely to be bitten by a dog in a city than in the country.
• Children ages 5 to 9 years are most commonly bitten by a dog.
• Adults are most commonly bitten on the hands and young children on the face and neck.
• It’s estimated that there are one to two fatalities in Canada from dog attacks yearly.
• Of the 28 fatalities between 1990 and 2007, 24 of them were children under 12.
• The prairie provinces had the highest incidents of fatal dog attacks.
• 58% of Canadians believe that attacks are due to bad owners and not bad dogs/breeds.
• All provinces have sided with the “bad owners, not bad breeds” stance.
• Younger Canadians are likelier to fall on the “bad owners” side.
• 67% of Canadians support muzzling breeds considered “dangerous.”

Links

• Canadian Dog Bite Statistics 2024
• List of fatal dog attacks in Canada