City of Toronto and Toronto Police Service team up for dogs off-leash education and enforcement blitz

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  July 17, 2014                      

City of Toronto and Toronto Police Service team up for dogs off-leash education and enforcement blitz

The City of Toronto and Toronto Police Service are kicking off a public education campaign and bylaw blitz encouraging residents to keep their dogs on a leash except when in the City's 57 leash-free parks.

Enforcement officers will work their way through Toronto's parks, including, for example, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Birkdale Ravine, Thompson Park, Wexford Park and Hunter's Glen Park.

In Toronto, all dogs must be kept on a leash whenever they are on any property other than their owner's – unless they are in designated "leash-free" areas. Owners are responsible for ensuring that their dogs do not run at large. The expression "running at large" means the dog is unleashed.

In 2013, there were a total of 130 complaints regarding dogs running off-leash. To date in 2014, there have been 440 complaints and 66 charges. A fine of $360 can be issued for allowing a dog to run at large except in a posted designated leash-free area.

Owners are responsible for their dog and any injuries or damage caused by any dog in their care.

In order to use the leash-free zones, dog owners must have vaccinated and licensed their dogs. Dogs that are aggressive to humans, dogs with a history of biting, and other types of animals are not permitted in the leash-free zones.

In addition to being leashed, all dogs in Toronto must be licensed. Licences cost $25 a year and are available online at http://www.toronto.ca/animalservices.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bitly.com/1qKcIP2

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Tammy Robbinson, Strategic Communications, 416-338-3761, trobbin@toronto.ca