New rules on "dangerous dogs" will come into effect in Toronto on March 1st, after a unanimous vote by council.
Now that road tolls are out of the way, council is going through the rest of the long agenda of the last meeting of the year.
Councillors voted in favour of a new definition of dangerous dogs, and new rules that the animals' owners will have to follow.
A dangerous dog is one that has bitten, attacked or poses a menace. After a first incident, a by-law officer may give a written warning to the owner, or decide to deem the dog dangerous right away. After a second incident, the owner will be required to comply to the new dangerous dog rules.
The changes include requiring such dogs to be muzzled when off the owner's property, microchipped, wear a special tag. The dog will also be prohibited from off-leash parks. The owner will have to post a warning sign on their property.
Other new rules include a time limit of one consecutive hour that a dog can be tethered.
Anyone who breaks the new rules will be subject to a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted.
More details:
WHAT IS A DANGEROUS DOG?
"Dogs that have bitten, attacked or pose a menace."
NEW RULES FOR DANGEROUS DOG OWNERS:
1. The dangerous dog is muzzled at all times when off the owners property;
2. The dangerous dog is not permitted to enter into a designated leash-free area of a City park at any time;
3. That a dangerous dog tag is purchased from the City, the dangerous dog tag fee specified in Chapter 441, Fees and Charges, is paid and the dangerous dog is wearing the dangerous dog tag provided by the City at all times;
4. That a warning sign is posted on the owners' private property in the form and location required by the Executive Director;
5. That the dangerous dog is microchipped;
6. That arrangements are made with the City to enable the City to collect a photograph of the dangerous dog and any other necessary identifying information; and
7. That the dangerous dog receives training in the form required by the Executive Director within 90 days of the order to comply being served on the owner.
OTHER NEW RULES:
1. An extreme weather provision to ensure that the dog is adequately protected from the elements
2. Time limit of one consecutive hour that a dog can be tethered
3. A prohibition on the use of choke collars, choke chains, pronged collars or any similar device on dogs for tethering
4. No person shall walk and have control over more than three dogs unless authorized by a commercial dog walker permit
5. The owner of the dog may appeal the order to comply with the dangerous dog requirements and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards may consider whether the dog was acting in self-defence when the dangerous act occurred
6. Increased and continuing fines for those who do not comply
FINES
Every person who contravenes any provision of this chapter is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of no more than $100,000.