More of a legal question than admin but there is such a wealth of knowledge here, I was hoping for some insight in to this situation.\
First some background. My dog was attacked in the PMQs while my wife was walking it the other day by a bunch of other dogs who had gotten out of their house. My dog wasn't seriously injuried, just some puncture wounds and a small tear on the ear. And the owner has accepted responsibility for the situation and will pay the vet bill. So everything will work out in the end,
However, my wife was dealing with the MPs and was told that because the base commander has not signed an agreement with the Township of Essa, the bylaw enforcement officers can not take any action. Not withstanding the fact that I have to buy a license from them (for nothing apparently), it seems that had the other owner been less co-operative or my dog more seriously injured that they could not enforce things like the Ontario Dog Liability Act. This would cover things like forcing owners of dangerous dogs to have them muzzled and pay damages.
Does this mean that owners can let their dogs run wild and attack anyone they want because their are no enforceable laws against it? That doesn't jive with my understanding of the law when it comes to DND property.
First some background. My dog was attacked in the PMQs while my wife was walking it the other day by a bunch of other dogs who had gotten out of their house. My dog wasn't seriously injuried, just some puncture wounds and a small tear on the ear. And the owner has accepted responsibility for the situation and will pay the vet bill. So everything will work out in the end,
However, my wife was dealing with the MPs and was told that because the base commander has not signed an agreement with the Township of Essa, the bylaw enforcement officers can not take any action. Not withstanding the fact that I have to buy a license from them (for nothing apparently), it seems that had the other owner been less co-operative or my dog more seriously injured that they could not enforce things like the Ontario Dog Liability Act. This would cover things like forcing owners of dangerous dogs to have them muzzled and pay damages.
Does this mean that owners can let their dogs run wild and attack anyone they want because their are no enforceable laws against it? That doesn't jive with my understanding of the law when it comes to DND property.