(WEST PARRY SOUND, ON) – On July 12, 2016 at 10:35 p.m., members of the West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of two dogs attacking and biting people in Seguin Township. The two dogs entered the cottager’s property and attacked their dog. When the cottagers intervened the dogs attacked them and they had to climb onto their vehicle to escape. The cottagers were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the dog was taken to the veterinarian.
As a result of the officer’s investigation, Chelsey PENRICE, 30 years of age from Seguin Township, was charged with Owner of dog – Fail to prevent dog from biting, attacking a person or domestic animal contrary to the Dog Owners Liability Act (DOLA). The owner was served a summons requiring her to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Parry Sound on August 30, 2016 to answer to the charge. An individual who is guilty of this offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine of not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or both.
The Dog Owners’ Liability Act states that the owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal. Under this act the owner may be charged if the dog has bitten or attacked person or has behaved in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of persons or domestic animals. Keep in mind that your pet is your responsibility.