TORONTO ๐ฉCity o9f Toronto Reminds Pet Owners to be Responsible, Keep Their Dog Leashed
Friday, 11 August 2023 08:00.PM
The City of Toronto is reminding pet owners about their responsibilities and requirements for owning a dog in Toronto and emphasizing the importance of keeping their dog leashed and under control at all times.
There has been a recent surge in incidents involving dogs that are off leash including incidents involving children, pedestrians and cyclists. In 2022, there was a 39 per cent increase in the number of dog attacks and a 19 per cent increase in the number of altercations involving dogs and other animals. This year, the City has issued more than 44 dangerous dog orders and 168 written warnings for bylaw violations.
In Toronto, all dog owners are required to keep their dog leashed unless in designated off-leash areas. The leash cannot be longer than two metres and it must be attached to a collar or harness and held securely. Keeping a dog leashed helps to ensure the dogโs safety and protects the people and community around them. A leash will also help prevent dogs from getting lost, running into traffic, trampling sensitive vegetation, chasing wildlife or eating toxic substances.
Dog owners in Toronto are also required to:
โข Purchase a City of Toronto pet licence and renew it annually. Licence tags must be worn at all times.
โข Pick up their dogโs waste and dispose of it properly. The City has Green Bins for organic waste in all dog off-leash areas. In parks that do not have a Green Bin, residents should dispose of dog waste in garbage bins or take it home and place it in their Green Bin.
More information about owning a dog in Toronto is available on the Cityโs responsible dog ownership webpage: toronto.ca/DogsInTheCity.
Bylaw enforcement officers regularly monitor parks for off-leash dogs and respond to complaints and issues involving dogs. The goal is to educate people about why these rules are important for their dog and the community around them and to ensure compliance with City bylaws. The fine for allowing a dog to run off-leash, except in a designated off-leash area, is $365.
Toronto has more than 75 designated off-leash areas where dogs are permitted to run freely. More information about off-leash areas including a list of locations is available on the Cityโs dogs off-leash areas webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/animals-pets/pets-in-the-city/dog-off-leash-areas/.
People are responsible for their dogโs actions and should take precautions to prevent their dog from engaging in dangerous behaviour. Proper training, socialization and positive reinforcement are crucial for a dogโs well-being and will help ensure safer interactions with other dogs and people.
Residents are encouraged to report dangerous incidents involving dogs. The City needs people to come forward and share evidence in order to take enforcement action. More information on who to call and how the City responds to dangerous incidents is available on the Cityโs dog attacks or bites webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/animals-pets/pets-in-the-city/dogs-in-the-city/dog-bites-or-attacks/.
SOURCE: City of Toronto
-
Related materials:
- 08-Oct-2024 02:34 PM ๐๏ธ๐ผ๏ธ Nuit Blanche Toronto 2024: Extended Program Features 12 Art Projects
- 17-Sep-2024 12:00 PM ๐๐๏ธ๐ต Calling All Gardeners! City of Toronto Opens Applications for its Fall Pollinateto Grants ๐ธ๐ฟ๐บ
- 17-Sep-2024 10:37 AM ๐๐๏ธ City Of Toronto Increases Fines as Part of DonโT Block the Box Program to Help Combat Congestion and Enhance Road Safety
- 14-Sep-2024 10:23 AM ๐๐๏ธ City of Toronto Opens New Leslie Lookout Park with Stunning Views ๐ฒ๐
- 13-Aug-2024 10:39 AM ๐๐๏ธ โ๏ธ Toronto Public Health Urges Eligible Residents to Get Vaccinated Against Mpox as Local Cases Continue to Rise
- 10-Aug-2024 08:00 AM Upcoming Event: ๐๐๏ธ SummerSeries in Trillium Park at Ontario Place Presents Wavelength Summer Thing and City Hall Live
- 09-Aug-2024 10:32 AM ๐๐๏ธ ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ค Get Hired: City of Toronto Winter Jobs Heating Up With Cool Opportunities
- 08-Aug-2024 02:27 PM ๐๐๏ธ ๐ต City of Toronto and the Government of Canada announce agreement to fund West Toronto Railpath Extension
- 08-Aug-2024 10:23 AM ๐๐๏ธ ๐ต City of Toronto Enhancing Community Recreation Centres with Fresh Paint, Public Wi-Fi and Additional Features
- 06-Aug-2024 12:00 PM ๐๐๏ธ City of Toronto Parking Fines to Increase on August 1 to Support Safer Roads and Reduce Congestion ๐ต๐