Off Leash Dogs - Col. Sam Smith & Other Parks

[angieinto]

I don't visit local parks as often as I did a few years ago because of this issue.

 I have done a lot of birding in the last few weeks and spent more time at Col. Sam Smith than ever before. It infuriates me that a park that has an off leash area still has people letting their dogs run wild.

While I was at the birding festival today I spoke to one of the city workers about this issue. She told me that the best way to get something done about it is to call city animal services and complain, as often as possible, the more people that complain, especially about one park, the more they are likely to do something about it.

    Telephone:     416-338-PAWS (7297) or 311
    E-Mail:             TASEMRU@toronto.ca

I normally tell people that their dog needs to be on a leash or direct them to the off leash area if there is one, I think a $300 fine, which I know they will give out, would be a better deterrent.  

I think it's time we at least tried to do something about it.

[lovemypt]

I would definitely agree to that, anything to help control these dogs...or should say control their owners.........

 I had a miserable experience this morning at Riverwood Park. Day started off slow except for a few Indigo Buntings around until I came onto a Doe standing on main path, could tell she was up to sometime and just 4-5ft off path was at least one young fawn hiding in grass, couldn't tell if more as didn't want to get too close, passed on by than came down the path a man and women with 2 dogs off leash running around, thought this wouldn't be good so I went back and sure enough they were standing in middle of roadway watching their dogs chase the doe around and around in circles, well actually they weren't just watching, they were taking pictures of their dogs chasing the doe.  I tried to intervene with notice that was it wasn't a leash free area and is posted bylaw for "ALL DOGS TO BE ON LEASH", but it was also illegal to allow their dogs to chase deer.  His comments were I will do whatever the ******* I want with my dogs and you don't work  here   ***off.  I started taking cell phone shots and called both Animal services and RIverwood park but because of weekend neither were available in time and the dog people were on their way oblivious to the world around them.  Only good part is the dogs were so busy with the doe they did not pickup on the fawn and it was left unharmed....not that they would of been able to chase it for long with me there......how far do you think one could football kick a Spaniel?

It is amazing how some people can love their pets so much and proclaim a love of animals but be so ignorant to the nature around them

[Rotarran]

I've had a very similar incident where an owners dog chased a woodchuck and also spooked a nearby Great Blue Heron.  I told the owner that he shouldn't allow his dog to chase wild animals.  His response was very similar to what you received.  

Some people have become so self-absorbed and self-entitled that they can't tell right from wrong anymore.  This is a worrying trend across the board such as in traffic (selfish driving), at movie theatres (kicking chairs) and now even in parks.  It is all about them and their "right" to do what they please.  I think people have watched one too many Bruce Willis movies and they think they're some kind of superhero baddass that can make the world run according to their own rules.  Movies and the media is corrupting people's minds and sense of decency.  And in the end it is tearing apart the very fabric of a civilized society.

[Rob'in'To]

Hard to comment on this without losing my s**t.  So very frustrating.  Its happening in all the parks to some degree.  But most attitudes are the same.  "Screw you Jack, don't worry about me and my dog!".  Grrr...

I got cornered by a large off leash dog in Claireville one morning.  It was almost 10 minutes later when the owner came by to get him.  The dog wouldn't let me do anything but stand there.  He snarled and growled if I took a step.  I was looking around for anyone, be it the owner or someone to maybe help me out.  Nobody as Claireville is such a huge area and not much human traffic on a weekday morning.  

The guy finally comes to get his dog.  He says something about not to worry, his dog is friendly.  I said he's been blocking me, snarling, etc.  The reply was "oh, I guess he doesn't like you very much".  He laughed and walked away, disappearing in the woods.  I saw no cars to get a plate number even.  

Now what if this dog did attack me, buddy comes along, gets his dog and walks away?  And I have nothing to go with after the fact to get the police involved?

Anyways, so tempted to get pepper spray or something and perhaps spray the owners instead of the dogs.  Its infuriating!

[dawnofthewolf]

I got cornered by a large off leash dog in Claireville one morning. It was almost 10 minutes later when the owner came by to get him. The dog wouldn't let me do anything but stand there. He snarled and growled if I took a step. I was looking around for anyone, be it the owner or someone to maybe help me out. Nobody as Claireville is such a huge area and not much human traffic on a weekday morning.

The guy finally comes to get his dog. He says something about not to worry, his dog is friendly. I said he's been blocking me, snarling, etc. The reply was "oh, I guess he doesn't like you very much". He laughed and walked away, disappearing in the woods. I saw no cars to get a plate number even.

When did this happend and what breed of dog?  They had an article in The Star years ago about the "danger" of coyotes and one dogwalker carried a bat because he is supposedly scared of coyotes, it should be the other way around as your post indicates.