Tribunal can rescind or confirm a Dangerous Dog Order

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If you’ve ever encountered a bad dog in the city, you may be aware that Fido can be hit with a Dangerous Dog designation.

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Animal Control officers responding to incidents where a canine has engaged, “in a dangerous act against a person or domestic animal,” can serve a Dangerous Dog Order (DDO) to the owner.

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As you’d imagine, the severity of the incident is taken into account, and repeat offenders are also liable for a DDO.

Such orders stipulate that the dog has to be muzzled at all times when not at home.

The owner also has to post a warning sign on the front door about the animal, the dog cannot go to any off-leash parks in the city, and the dog has to wear a dangerous dog tag.

Within 14 days of the notice, the owner has to provide proof that the dog has been microchipped.

The owner also has to make sure the dog has been photographed by the city and has received obedience training within 90 days.

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Dog owners can appeal the Dangerous Dog designation and plead their case in front of a tribunal — but they still have to comply with the above.

The Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal meets next on Jan. 31, where they will hear from two dog owners who hope to appeal the Dangerous Dog designation.

One person making an appeal has an American bulldog; the other has a Boston terrier.

There are circumstances where an appeal makes sense — if the dog was acting in self-defence, for example. But anyone can appeal.