The City of Toronto is cracking down on dog owners who allow their canines to walk off leash outside of designated parks.
All dogs in Toronto must be kept on a leash when they are roaming in the city, unless they are using one of Toronto’s leash-free parks or on its owner’s property. The fine for an unleashed dog is $360.
"The reason for the officers being out there is to ensure that everybody has the ability to improve the parks by using them in a respective and mindful manner of all members," John DeCoury, the city's director of by-law enforcement, told CP24 Friday morning. "Education is always our first line of enforcement but when we feel people aren’t getting the message we have to elevate it to tickets."
The city announced the ticketing blitz on Thursday. By-law officers will be patrolling a number of parks, including Trinity Bellwoods Park, Birkdale Ravine, Thompson Park, Wexford Park and Hunter’s Glen Park.
The by-law ticketing blitz comes as the city has been dealing with an increase in the number of complaints concerning unleashed dogs.
This year, the city has received approximately 440 complaints about dogs on the loose so far. Last year, there were approximately 130 complaints.
