Issue goes in front of economic development committee Tuesday
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The city could bare its teeth in light of recent dog attacks, making public a list of known “dangerous dogs.”
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The city’s economic development committee will consider a report on Tuesday addressing serious dog attacks, with recommendations that include publicizing the list of dangerous dogs, enforcing standardized signage on properties where the dogs’ owners reside, and even a public education campaign on the matter.
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The recommendations come on the heels of several high-profile dog attacks in Toronto in recent years, including a Feb. 7 attack in Etobicoke that left a woman with life-altering injuries.
Toronto Councillor Paula Fletcher has been particularly vocal about the issue after a dog attack left a woman hospitalized in East York last summer.
“Dangerous dogs and maulings are serious community safety issues. The city’s response to dog mauling and reports of dangerous dogs must be immediate and coordinated,” said a news release from Fletcher, obtained by CP24. “Proactive monitoring, enforcement and communication are needed to keep residents and other dogs safe.”
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Fletcher requested staff recommendations for proactive enforcement. One such recommendation to be considered on Tuesday is a request of up to $500,000 from the 2025 budget to implement a communication strategy and public education campaign aimed at reducing dangerous dog incidents.
An increase in funding, already approved by council, will go toward hiring more bylaw and animal control officers.
Additionally, city officials recommended that the public record of dangerous dogs include the first three digits of a dog owner’s postal code, the dog’s name, breed and colour, and the date of an attack.
Another recommendation calls on Queen’s Park to expedite proceedings governed by the Dog Owner’s Liability Act.
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