Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
A man has been arrested after an off-leash dog killed a smaller dog and injured its owner in an unprovoked attack this week, Toronto police say.
In a news release Wednesday, police said the 40-year-old man has been charged with: criminal negligence causing bodily harm; obstructing, interrupting or interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property; obstructing a police officer; dog bite a person; and failing to prevent dog from biting or attacking.
“The dog is still at large. Officers are working with Toronto Animal Services, and efforts to locate the dog continue,” police said in the release.
Police said they have no information about the relationship between the dog and the accused.
In a public safety alert earlier Wednesday, police warned the off-leash dog, a brown Pit Bull mix, could be dangerous or aggressive.
Police said officers responded to calls of an assault near Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue W. at about 4:10 p.m. Tuesday.
Ring camera video obtained by CBC Toronto shows the attack happened outside a community centre.
The small dog was killed as a result of the attack, police said.
In the alert, police said the off-leash dog remains “unaccounted for.” The alert also describes the off-leash dog as “abandoned,” but the video shows the dog was with someone at the time of the attack.
Police are working with Toronto Animal Services to locate the dog, which is described as a ‘brown pit bull mix.’ (Toronto Police Service)
Dog sprinted toward someone pushing stroller: video
The ring camera video shows a person walking with an off-leash dog moments before it sprints through a railing toward someone pushing a stroller and walking with the smaller dog.
A woman can be heard screaming in the video as the person walking with the off-leash dog runs over to pull it away. The person is later seen dragging the dog away by its collar.
Nik Watritsch, a local resident, said the attack could have been prevented.
“It’s not the dog’s fault. He just wasn’t trained properly,” Watritsch said. “It’s a sad situation.”
Anyone who sees the off-leash dog is being warned not to approach it and to call police immediately.
Sagi Denenberg, a veterinary psychiatrist, said there have been a few examples of off-leash dogs attacks in Toronto in recent years. In many cases, the situation has built up over time, he said.
“Many times dogs like that already have pre-existing problems. It’s not the first time that they went after another dog,” Denenberg said.
Denenberg said keeping a dog on a leash, or even using a muzzle, would prevent such incidents, adding dogs can be rehabilitated.
“Owners are usually aware that there is a problem,” he said.
“You can help most dogs to a degree, some with greater success, some with less success, but unless the owner is willing to do that, unless the owner is taking an active role, spending the time and effort to do that, it will never get better. And that’s where, unfortunately, many of those situations fail.”
Animal services helping to find dog
Police said they are working with Toronto Animal Services to try to find the dog.
Esther Attard, director at Toronto Animal Services, said the organization is saddened by the death of a dog and the injuries to its owner.
“Our thoughts are with them and their family,” she said. “We know this is concerning for the community.”
Attard added that the city is committed to keeping people and pets safe through education and enforcement, and that bylaw officers patrol, promote responsible pet ownership and take action where necessary.
Dog owners should keep their pets leashed and under control in public she added. Concerns about dangerous dogs can be reported to 311.
Investigators urge anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
On its website, the city says a fine of up to $615 can be issued to an owner for allowing a dog to run off-leash except in a designated off-leash area.
