The number of reported dog attacks in Ottawa has risen by 50 per cent since the pandemic, and that has one city councillor suggesting stricter bylaw controls.
Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services received 562 reports involving aggressive dogs in 2020. That increased to 654 in 2021, 715 in 2022 and 845 in 2023 — a really concerning jump to Coun. Glen Gower.
Dogs have bitten, scratched and lunged at people and behaved aggressively toward other animals, according to the city. The number of reports includes all complaints, whether they were substantiated or not, and may include duplicates, the city said.
The reports have led to an increase of charges, court summonses and muzzle orders. In 2022 the city reported 294 actions taken in response to complaints and 404 actions in 2023, a nearly 40 per cent year-on-year increase.
‘Make sure we’re using every tool’
The city shared the data earlier this month in response to an inquiry from Gower asking whether it was feasible to introduce an online directory of vicious dogs and a requirement for signage at people’s homes notifying the public of vicious dogs.
Gower noted similar regulation exists in Toronto. In response, the city said amending Ottawa’s bylaws would require public consultations and a bylaw review, while larger scale public education and awareness programs would require funding.
“I want to make sure we’re using every tool that we have … to make sure that we’re keeping our community safe,” Gower said.
“People got dogs and didn’t know what they were doing.”– Dog trainer Nancy-Lynn Stoller
A pair of dog attacks last year in Gower’s Stittsville ward prompted a debate on the need for stricter dog control measures.
Many people acquired dogs during the pandemic and inexperienced owners and insufficient opportunities to socialize young dogs during lockdowns have contributed to the rise in reported dog attacks, one local trainer said.
“People got dogs and didn’t know what they were doing,” said Nancy-Lynn Stoller, the owner of AwesomeK9.
The city said it can’t confirm how much Ottawa’s dog population has grown since the pandemic, in part because only an estimated 30 to 50 per cent of all dogs are registered. On average, more than 35,000 dogs are licensed annually by the city.
Owners mixed
At the Sylvia Holden dog park in the Glebe on Sunday, dog owners were divided on whether stricter regulation was needed, with most blaming irresponsible owners for unruly dogs.
“I think a lot of people during the pandemic bought dogs that they weren’t prepared for and weren’t prepared to train while balancing their work from home life,” said Nora Grant-Young, who was exercising her one-year-old Pomeranian husky mix Aria.
Lily Mitchell thought the idea had some merit. She was out with her one-year-old mini golden doodle, who she said had been “traumatized” by aggressive dogs at the park.
“I just came back from BC. They have a lot of signage out there and they do have those kinds of restrictions and registration processes in place,” she said.
Stricter bylaws may not be the most best way to encourage responsible dog ownership, said Shuo Yang, whose Australian shepherd had just been lunged at by a German Shepherd.
“I think the issue is dog owners,” he said, calling instead for “common courtesy.”