Newmarket, Ontario – A Newmarket resident is calling for stricter enforcement of laws following a traumatic incident involving his dog and a neighbor’s pet last summer. Stephen Burnley and his family were enjoying Canada Day in their backyard when a pit bull mix allegedly hopped the fence from the neighbor’s property and attacked Burnley’s dog, Rex. Burnley and his partner suffered injuries while trying to separate the dogs in what he described as a brutal attack.
The altercation resulted in Burnley needing medical attention, including stitches and multiple breaks or fractures from the dog bites. Despite the Town of Newmarket issuing a dangerous dog order for the neighbor’s pet, Burnley claimed that the order was repeatedly violated, leading to ongoing safety concerns for his family.
Town officials confirmed that they are actively investigating the incident and enforcing measures based on municipal bylaws. However, Burnley expressed frustration over the reluctance to escalate the case to the provincial legislation, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA). He believes that the current laws are not stringent enough to hold irresponsible pet owners accountable for their dogs’ actions.
DOLA allows for measures such as muzzling or dangerous dog orders, with the possibility of court-ordered consequences, including euthanasia for public safety. Despite Burnley’s suspicions that the offending dog is a pit bull mix, he stressed that his focus is on ensuring responsible pet ownership rather than advocating for the destruction of the animal.
Recent amendments to DOLA by the Ford government have addressed concerns about breed-specific legislation and the seizure of animals for public safety reasons. Cities like Toronto have urged further changes to expedite legal proceedings and provide support for municipalities holding animals under DOLA warrants or orders.
Burnley’s experience adds to a growing concern over dog attacks in Newmarket, with previous incidents resulting in severe injuries and the euthanasia of aggressive animals. As he continues to advocate for stricter enforcement of pet ownership laws, Burnley emphasizes the importance of holding owners accountable for their pets’ behavior to prevent future incidents and ensure public safety.