Data on dangerous dogs disclosed
New statistics show Toronto-Danforth is ward with highest number of animals on city’s registry
As Toronto moves to crack down on dangerous dogs, new statistics from the city have revealed which neighbourhoods have the highest number of problem animals, and which breeds are responsible for the most attacks.
The data, which the city started publishing publicly after a series of alarming maulings, show that as of Monday, there were 364 animals in Toronto subject to an active dangerous dog order.
Out of the city’s 25 wards, Toronto-Danforth had the highest number of dogs listed in the registry, with 28. The two wards directly to the east, Beaches—East York and Scarborough Southwest, were tied for the second most, at 23.
Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Toronto-Danforth and has been pushing for stricter enforcement of dangerous dog rules, attributed the high number in her ward to the simple fact that there are many dogs and off-leash parks in the area, which can lead to conflicts.
She added that aggressive dogs have been a topic of discussion in her community for years, and “people aren’t afraid to call up” and report troubling canine behaviour.
The statistics include each dog’s name and their owner’s partial postal code, and Fletcher said she hoped that posting them publicly, along with other steps the city is taking, will help prevent “these terrible attacks.”
“Everybody’s going to be hyperfocused on and vigilant on making sure those dogs are under the control of the owner,” she said.
Toronto Animal Services investigates reports of dog bites, attacks and other menacing behaviour, and can issue a dangerous dog order if the incident is considered severe, the animal has a previous dangerous act on its record or was subject to a previous order.
Animals slapped with the designation must be muzzled while in public, wear a tag identifying them as dangerous, be microchipped and are prohibited from using off-leash parks. The owner must also post a warning sign on their property and enrol the dog in obedience training within 90 days.
But a series of violent attacks have led to criticism the system isn’t working. Last July, a woman was badly mauled by two dogs while out for an evening walk in East York, and last month, a child was left with life-altering injuries when he was attacked in a waterfront park. In both cases, the animals involved were already under dangerous dog orders.
Council voted in March to start publishing the descriptions of dogs subject to an active order and other information about the incidents, which city staff said would help “the public take appropriate action for their safety” and serve as a deterrent to owners who don’t control their pets.
According to the new statistics, already this year there have been 16 incidents leading to dangerous dog orders. Just over 90 orders related to incidents last year, while 86 were tied to attacks in 2022. The registry only includes active orders, and dogs are removed if they die or move.
German shepherds and American bulldogs were the breeds most frequently listed in the database, either as purebred or mixed animals. Both accounted for about 12 per cent of breeds mentioned. They were followed by Labrador retrievers, at 10 per cent, Rottweilers at eight per cent, and boxers, mastiffs and cane corsos, all at about four per cent.
Andre Yeu, founder of the When Hounds Fly dog training school, said he wasn’t surprised to see German shepherds and American bulldogs at the top of the list because they’re common and relatively large.
“There are so many small breed dogs that will do the exact same type of aggressive behaviour but don’t have the strength to even break through a pair of jeans or a leather shoe,” he said.
While Yeu said some breeds are more predisposed to aggression, he cautioned against making generalizations. An individual animal’s training, personality and the breeding stock they descend from are all important factors, he said.
On Wednesday, the city announced that for the next month staff will be visiting the owners of all dogs subject to an active order to remind them of the conditions they’re supposed to follow. Owners who aren’t in compliance could face a fine of up to $615, or a courtissued fine that could rise to $100,000 upon conviction, according to a city release.