Toronto is experiencing an increase in off-leash dog attacks including high-profile incidents involving children, elderly, and other dogs. I myself was mauled by an off-leash German Shepherd during an early morning stroll in my Etobicoke neighborhood. A common theme  after attacks is being unable to identify the at fault owner. Victims rely on social media posts or news coverage to plea for help in identifying the owner. Their success is tied to luck!

Currently, 311 will not investigate a dog bite incident unless the owner address is given (source). Numerous scenarios make obtaining owner information impossible:

• If the owner and the dog flee the victim has no way to get the address.
• The human or pet victim is severely injured such that medical care precluded tracking down the owner.
• The at-fault owner refuses to cooperate
• witnesses might scatter from an off-leash dog instead of helping the injured.

These obstacles disproportionately affect those most vulnerable to serious injuries, such as the elderly, children, small pets, and disabled . We propose simpler solutions for identifying dangerous dog owners and  preventing dog attacks.

Our Proposal:

1. Mandate City-Approved Socialization Training for New Dogs: Dog owners must enroll their newly acquired dogs in a city-approved socialization training class before bringing them home. They must provide proof of class completion to the city. This step aims to prevent attacks from occurring in the first place.
2. Require Visible Identification for Dangerous Dogs in Populous Areas: Dogs identified as dangerous by the city must wear visible identification, such as a city-issued vest with a memorable identification number. A dog attack victim or witness can cite this number, instead of an address, when filing a complaint. This identifier can also be used to report stray dogs. If an incident occurs and the at fault owner did not follow this rule, they will be subjected to criminal charges (akin to a hit and run) and a fine determined by the city.

Closing Remarks
Owning a dog should be a privilege, not a right. People of all ages and ability and their pets should feel safe around dogs in public spaces. Sign this petition to urge city officials to implement these changes. We will directly share it with authorities at Animal Services and City Council at 1000 signatures.