Toronto, Canada – A woman was arrested by Toronto police following a disturbing incident that resulted in a child sustaining life-altering injuries in a dog attack. The incident took place at Little Norway Park near Lake Shore Boulevard West and Bathurst Street on Saturday morning.
Police reported that the woman was inside the playground area with her off-leash dog when a father and his child approached. The dog aggressively charged towards the child through an open gate, biting and dragging the child to the ground. Both the owner and the father attempted to intervene, but the woman fled the scene with her dog after the attack.
The injured child was rushed to the hospital with serious, life-altering injuries, although not considered life-threatening by authorities. A search warrant was executed in the Fort York Boulevard and Bathurst Street area on Sunday. Subsequently, a 38-year-old woman named Patrycja Siarek was arrested in connection with the incident.
Siarek is facing multiple charges, including criminal negligence causing bodily harm, failing to prevent a dog from biting or attacking, and allowing a dog to run at large in a non-designated off-leash area. Additionally, she is charged with failing to ensure a dangerous dog is muzzled at all times when off the owner’s property. The dog involved in the attack was taken by Toronto Animal Services.
The devastating outcome of the attack serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and vigilance when in the presence of animals, especially in public places. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident to ensure the safety of the community and prevent future similar occurrences.