Item - 2021.EC20.9

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council delegate authority to the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to waive 50 percent of the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal appeal fee for low income households, provided that the applicant meets the criteria below, and amend the Reduction in Fees Policy for Toronto Animal Services accordingly:

a.  is a resident of the City of Toronto;

b.  is at least 18 years of age;

c.  is the owner of the dog;

d.  has a licence for the dog issued by the City of Toronto in accordance with Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Animals;

e.  has a household income of less than $50,000; and

f.  has demonstrated financial need with appropriate documentation.

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1.  Received the 2020 Annual Report from the Chair, Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal in Attachment 1 to the report (March 11, 2021) from the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards for information.

In accordance with its governance structure, the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal must submit an annual report on its work to the appropriate standing committee. Attached to this report is the Tribunal Chair's 2020 Annual Report.

As recommended by the Tribunal Chair, this report recommends that the City offer a reduced Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal appeal fee for low income households. This report also responds to recommendations in the Chair's report to update Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Animals, to define the word "severe" and allow the Tribunal to reassess a confirmed Order at a later date and rescind the designation. Staff do not recommend amendments to Chapter 349, Animals, to define "severe" or to revise the scope of the Tribunal to reassess confirmed Orders; however, staff have made operational improvements and updates to public-facing information to better inform potential applicants about the grounds for appeal, as recommended by the Chair.

The Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal provides an independent review of Dangerous Dog Orders issued by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) under Section 349-15.1 of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Animals. The Tribunal has the authority to:

a.  confirm the determination of a Dangerous Dog Order; or

b.  rescind the determination of a Dangerous Dog Order and exempt the owner from all requirements of the Dangerous Dog Order.

The Tribunal is an adjudicative board and local board of the City of Toronto under the authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006. Tribunal hearings are conducted in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, 1990 and the Tribunal's rules of procedure.

In 2020, MLS responded to 1,911 service requests related to dangerous acts by a dog and issued 96 Dangerous Dog Orders. The Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal considered seven appeals and three reviews in 2020, as detailed in Attachment 1. Of the seven appeals, the Tribunal confirmed six Orders and deferred one appeal.