NEWMARKET, ONTARIO – A resident in Newmarket, Ontario is pushing for stronger action after his dog was attacked by a neighbor’s dog, resulting in multiple injuries. Stephen Burnley and his partner were in their backyard on Canada Day when a pit bull mixed dog reportedly jumped over the fence and attacked their dog, Rex. Burnley and his partner sustained bites while trying to separate the dogs during the brutal incident.
The attack left Burnley and his family in a state of shock, prompting them to seek assistance from authorities. The Town of Newmarket’s animal services issued a dangerous dog order following the attack, requiring the dog to be tethered on the property. However, Burnley claims that the neighbor has repeatedly violated the order, leading to ongoing concerns about the enforcement of laws surrounding aggressive dog incidents.
Authorities in Newmarket have acknowledged the incident and are currently investigating the matter. According to Animal Services supervisor Jacob Brewer, all dogs are treated equally under municipal bylaws, with a focus on factors such as the severity of the bite and the likelihood of future attacks. However, Burnley expressed frustration over the reluctance to escalate the issue under provincial legislation, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA).
DOLA holds dog owners accountable for their pets’ actions, regardless of breed, and provides measures to address dangerous behavior, including the option to euthanize a dog if deemed necessary for public safety. While Burnley believes the offending dog is a pit bull mix, he does not advocate for the dog’s destruction but rather for stricter measures against the owner to prevent future incidents.
Recent adjustments to DOLA have sparked debate, with calls for amendments to expedite hearing proceedings and provide cost-recovery mechanisms for municipalities. The issue of vicious dog attacks is not new to Newmarket, with previous incidents resulting in serious injuries and euthanization of the animals involved. Burnley hopes that increased awareness of the problem will lead to more effective enforcement of laws to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.