Notice: Due to the impacts of COVID-19 this service is suspended, only requests where there is an immediate risk to health & safety are being accepted. Please contact 311 Toronto for these requests.
Failure to Muzzle a Dog
If you wish to report an owner who is failing to muzzle their dog as required under an active Muzzle Order, contact 311 to submit a service request for investigation.
If you wish to report a dog bite to a person or domestic animal contact 311 to submit a service request for investigation.
Physician's office reporting - a patient bitten by an animal
City of Toronto, Municipal Code, Chapter 349 defines a bite as piercing or puncturing of the skin as a result of contact with a dog's tooth or teeth. Where there is reason to believe that a dog has bitten a person or domestic animal, where the bite is the first bite on record with the City, Animal Services shall serve the dog owner with a Notice of Caution. Where the bite is severe, the dog owner shall be served with a Notice to Muzzle. Where the bite is second or subsequent bite on record with the city, Animal Services shall serve the dog owner with a Notice to Muzzle.
As part of the investigation, Animal Services will require a witness statement from the person bitten and/or the owner of the animal that was bitten, as well as medical documentation to confirm the bite.
The purpose of the by-law is:
1. To address dogs in our community, that may present a risk to public health and safety and;
2. To ensure the owner of a dog has exercised reasonable precautions to prevent the dog from biting a person or domestic animal.
Note: restricted pit bull type dogs as defined by the Dog Owners' Liability Act, are required to be muzzled.
Removing a muzzle orderA dog owner served with a Notice of Caution or Notice to Muzzle, may request a hearing in writing within 30 days of receiving the notice. A hearing by the Executive Director may confirm the notice or exempt the owner from the muzzling requirements.