Data released by the City of Toronto city shows that, as of April 23, 2024, there were 364 dogs listed on the city’s active ‘dangerous dog order’ registry.
Out of the 25 wards, Toronto-Danforth had 28 dogs listed on the registry—more than any other ward. The most recent incident was considered ‘severe’ and involved a rottweiler mauling on public property last December.
Beaches-East York was tied for second place with 23 incidents; the most recent incident involved an American Bulldog and took place on public property in March. Scarborough Southwest also had 23 dogs listed on the registry. The most recent incident involved a rottweiler-lab mix; it took place on public property last November and was considered ‘non-severe’.
Ward 12—Toronto-St. Paul’s came in a close third with 22 active incidents. The most recent incident, involving a Belgian Malinois, was considered ‘severe’ and took place at a leash-free park in February.
The registry includes the dog’s name, breed, a partial postal code of where the owner lives, and the location of the incident (e.g., on the owner’s private property, a public park, a leash-free area, etc.). In 2024, 16 incidents have been listed so far; 90 incidents were listed in 2023, and 86 were listed in 2022. Dog names are removed if they pass away or the owners move from the city.
As for the most dangerous breeds—pure or mixed German shepherds and American bulldogs account for about 12 per cent of breeds on the database, followed by Labrador retrievers (10 per cent), Rottweilers (8 per cent), and Pitbull mixes, cane corsos, boxers, and mastiffs (about 4 per cent each).
A dangerous dog order is issued when it is confirmed that a dangerous act (such as any type of bite, attack, an act of menacing behaviour, or any combination of a bite, attack, or act of menacing behaviour) has occurred and the act is deemed severe or is the second consecutive act on record.
The public registry, which is updated monthly, was created after a series of alarming dog-mauling incidents raised public concerns. Recent incidents covered widely by the media include a woman attacked by a Pitbull mix in the Toronto-Danforth area last summer while out for a walk, a vicious dog attack at a bus stop in Rexdale in February that left a woman with life-threatening injuries, and a 9-year-old child who suffered life-altering injuries after being dragged by a dog at Little Norway Park last month—all incident involved dogs that were unmuzzled and unleashed, despite previously being issued a dangerous dog order prohibiting them from being in public without a leash or a muzzle.
Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher has been pushing for stricter enforcement of dog rules as well as a review of how the city manages severe dog attack incidents after the critical mauling of a woman in East York last summer.
Fletcher’s efforts have paid off. On Wednesday, the City announced a series of new, proactive measures to enforce dangerous dog orders.
Staff will visit all 373 owners of dogs listed on the dangerous dog order registry to ensure compliance, deliver the city’s new standardized ‘warning’ sign that must be visibly posted on the owner’s residence, and remind the dog owners of the requirements for dangerous dogs.
For example, the dog must be muzzled except when on the owner’s premises, the dog is prohibited from using the City’s off-leash areas for dogs, the owner must obtain a dangerous dog tag, the dog must be microchipped, the City keeps a photo of the dog on file, and the dog owner must ensure that the dog receives socialization or obedience training within 90 days of issuance of the order.
“I’m very happy to see the city taking proactive measures to enforce dangerous dog orders. These steps will help ensure we prevent violent dog attacks before they happen” Fletcher said in a statement. “I believe this is the beginning of a new preventative model that focuses on dogs who pose the most risk, holding owners of dangerous dogs to account and empowering residents to know about dangerous dogs in their neighbourhood and how to report them.”
Residents are reminded to report dog bites or attacks to Toronto Public Health or to Toronto Animal Services (dial 311).
Click here for resources on what to do if you or your pet are bitten by another dog.