Latest news with #DogOwners'LiabilityAct
Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Police use Taser on dog that had ‘bitten someone in the face' on Hamilton Mountain
Hamilton police used a Taser on a dog that had bitten someone in the face Thursday near Captain Cornelius Park on the Mountain. In an email, Const. Trevor McKenna said officers responded to an incident involving an 'aggressive behaving dog' around 9:10 p.m. Thursday. McKenna said the dog, a bulldog-pit bull cross, had already 'bitten someone in the face,' and there was concern it would continue to attack others. He said officers 'opted to deploy their Taser' to subdue the dog until animal control arrived to transport the animal. Dave Thompson, Hamilton Paramedic Service commander, said paramedics treated a 25-year-old woman for minor injuries, after a dog bite near the park, which is located close to West 5th Street and Limeridge Road West. He said the woman refused further treatment and transport to hospital by paramedics. The provincial Dog Owners' Liability Act indicates the owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a dog bite or attack on another person or animals. In addition, charges may be laid against a dog owner if the dog is a danger to people or pets, bites or attacks another person and the owner does not prevent their dog from being a danger to people or pets. Penalties under the act can be up to a $10,000 fine or six months in prison. According to the City of Hamilton, anyone bitten or scratched by a dog should seek immediate medical attention and contact public health so they can check for rabies by calling 905-546-3570. If you have been bitten by a dog and wish to press charges, contact Animal Services at 905-574-3433. — with files from Nicole O'Reilly
CBC
13-03-2025
- CBC
Toronto woman pleads guilty to negligence in dog attack that seriously injured child
Social Sharing A Toronto woman who faced multiple charges in a dog attack that seriously injured a child has pleaded guilty to some of them, including a criminal charge of negligence. Court records show Patrycja Siarek entered the pleas in a Toronto court last Friday. She had also been charged with infractions under the provincial Dog Owners' Liability Act and Toronto's municipal code. Siarek was arrested roughly a year ago after an off-leash dog bit and dragged a child in a Toronto park, leaving the child with what police described as life-altering injuries. The dog, meanwhile, was turned over to Toronto Animal Services. A spokesperson for the city confirmed the dog was euthanized last August, while Siarek's other dogs were rehomed. Court documents in a separate case showed Siarek and her partner had previously sparked several complaints at a Toronto condominium over the behaviour of their dogs, who were then labelled "dangerous" by the city. The documents showed the two American pocket bullies were ordered to be kept muzzled in public areas, but the orders were ignored, and an Ontario court deemed Siarek and her partner to be "irresponsible" owners.
