May 5, 1999
To:North York Community Council
From:Dr. Sheela Basrur, Medical Officer of Health
Subject:Appeal of Muzzle Order served January 5, 1999 to Ms. Janine Pintar of 6 Parsons Court, Community of North
York , Ward 6
Purpose:
To report on application for an exemption to the dog muzzling requirements of North York By-law 32823.
Source of Funds:
There are no financial implications for the City.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the request for an exemption be denied.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The former City of North York enacted Muzzling By-law 32823 on July 10, 1996. The By-law requires a muzzle order to
be issued to the owner of a dog where the Chief Animal Control Officer has reason to believe that the dog has bitten a
person or a domestic animal on two occasions. Where the order has been issued, the By-law further requires the owner to
muzzle the dog except when it is on the property of the owner.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The issuance of the Muzzle Order to Ms. Pintar is based upon the receipt of two separate dog bite incidents to human
victims reported to the Public Health Department. In the first incident, the North York District Public Health Office
received a report of a dog biting a human during a dog fight on July 1, 1998. The victim alleges that he was bitten by the
dog owned by Ms. Pintar. The dog is an Akita named "Hocus" that was also involved in a dog fight with the victim's dog.
The second incident occurred December 25, 1998. The victim alleges he was bitten while separating Ms. Pintar's dog from
his; Ms. Pintar's dog had attacked his dog after escaping from the house. The victim was treated by a doctor for a wound to
his finger; the incident report indicates also that the victim's dog was killed by Ms. Pintar's Akita. In Ms. Pintar's request
for a Public Hearing, she states that she will provide evidence to exonerate her dog.
Conclusions:
It appears that the bites to the human victims were as a result from trying separate dogs from fighting. While Ms. Pintar's
dog may not be aggressive towards humans, it does appear to be aggressive towards other dogs. The recommendation to
keep the muzzle order on the dog is for the protection of the public.
Contact Name:
Carl Bandow
Supervisor, Animal Services
North York Animal Centre
Phone: 395-7086Fax: 395-7090
E-mail: cbandow@city.north-york.on.ca
Dr. Sheela V. Basrur
Medical Officer of Health
