Newmarket, Ontario – A peaceful day in Stephen Burnley’s Newmarket backyard turned into a nightmare on Canada Day when a neighbouring dog hopped over the fence and attacked his dog, Rex, leaving both Burnley and his partner with injuries. The violent encounter has left Burnley questioning the effectiveness of the laws and enforcement surrounding dangerous dog attacks.
The dog, suspected to be a pit bull mix, latched onto Rex’s throat, causing significant injuries. Burnley and his partner struggled to separate the dogs, resulting in multiple bites and fractures for Burnley, who later required stitches at the hospital. Despite the traumatic incident, Burnley’s family faced a frustrating battle to hold the dog’s owner accountable.
The Town of Newmarket’s animal services issued a dangerous dog order after the attack, requiring the dog to be tethered in the backyard. However, Burnley claims the neighbour repeatedly disregarded the order, prompting concerns about the enforcement of regulations. Animal Services supervisor Jacob Brewer explained that all dogs are treated equally under municipal bylaws, emphasizing factors like the severity of the bite and the likelihood of further incidents.
Burnley expressed disappointment in the reluctance to escalate the matter to the provincial legislation, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA), which holds owners accountable for their dogs’ actions and provides measures for public protection. While Burnley believes the offending dog is a pit bull mix, he does not advocate for destroying the animal, but rather for stricter regulations on the owner’s ability to own dogs.
Recent adjustments made by the Ford government to DOLA aim to improve the process of handling dog-related incidents and breed designations. Burnley’s ordeal underscores the need for more efficient and effective measures to address vicious dog attacks, highlighting the urgency for regulatory changes. The community’s safety hinges on swift and appropriate enforcement of laws to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
As Burnley continues to push for reform, his experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by irresponsible dog ownership. Until significant changes are made to enhance enforcement and accountability, communities like Newmarket will remain vulnerable to the risks associated with dangerous dog attacks.