'Don't allow your dogs to bark': City removes park signage telling owners to keep dogs quiet

The City of Toronto is taking down a number of signs in city-run parks telling dog owners to limit barking as they said the messaging “did not meet the mark.”

On Wednesday, residents reported signs to CTV News Toronto placed at St.Andrew’s dog park, near Spadina Avenue and Adelaide Street, and Huron Street Playground, near Lowther Avenue and St. George Street, asking residents to prohibit their dogs from barking while at the park.

“Due to the closeness of the area residents, do not allow your dogs to bark and disturb the neighbourhood,” the sign at St. Andrew’s playground read.

“Excessive barking will not be tolerated,” it continued.

While there’s no City of Toronto noise bylaw specifically prohibiting “excessive” barking, residents can be fined up to $500 for amplified sound exceeding permitted levels outdoors, or for making, causing, or permitting noise that is unreasonable and persistent.

When reached for comment Wednesday, the City of Toronto told CTV News Toronto that the signs were installed to “balance the needs of a range of park users and local communities.

“Signage was installed to remind users of the off-leash area to be considerate of nearby residents,” the statement said. “Although barking is expected at off-leash areas, excessive barking can be disruptive to neighbours.”

St. Andrew's playground and dog park can be seen above. (Andrew Brennan/CTV News Toronto)

About an hour later, the city provided an update, stating that the sign at St. Andrew’s playground had been removed.

 “Although the sign was placed at this location with the intention of helping users of the off-leash area and neighbouring residents coexist harmoniously, we recognize that the information did not meet the mark,” the city said in their most recent statement. “The city will be reviewing its sign approval process to ensure clear communication in future signs.”

Before the city rolled back the initiative, residents expressed mixed reactions to the instructions.

“I’m a dog owner and completely understand [that] dogs bark in play, however there are some owners who spend the entire park visit looking at their phones while their poor pup is barking non-stop trying to get their attention,” one social media user commented underneath a photo of the sign.

Others felt the rule favoured nearby condominium residents.

“Marketing material for the condo building next door clearly showed the building was next to a dog park,” another user wrote. “Now the unit owners that had enough money to buy a unit bordering the park complains about dogs.”

Information on city-operated off-leash dog parks, along with locations and rules, can be found on the City of Toronto’s website.

A sign placed by the city in Huron Street Park can be seen above. (Handout by Dan Seljak)