canada pets
How to make people follow city laws regarding dogs on a leash?
<p>I live in Toronto. There is a by-law that all dogs should be on a leash when inside one of the city parks. But nobody follows this. People with big dogs let the dogs run free  and they sometimes get too close for comfort.  </p>

<p>Pointing out the law to the owner results in unpleasant conversations, involving expletives. The owners treat the parks as their own backyard, without any concern for others.</p>

<p>What should I do? Should I consult the Toronto Parks department? I am not too sure of getting any answer.</p>

<p>According to this press release, Toronto is "stepping up enforcement" of its leash by-law.  You should call 311 to report violations:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/29/101000050429.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/29/101000050429.html</a></p>

<p>You can find more information here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/47/101000050447.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/47/101000050447.html</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=b6c9dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD" rel="nofollow">http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=b6c9dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD</a></p>

<p>You can find a list of areas where dogs are permitted to be unleashed here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=5a81dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&amp;vgnextchannel=b6c9dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD" rel="nofollow">http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=5a81dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&amp;vgnextchannel=b6c9dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD</a></p>

<p>I note, however, that the press release says that "A dog is considered running at large if it is unleashed, off its owner's property and not under its owner's control."  Reading this strictly, where all three conditions must be met, a dog owner is permitted to unleash a dog if it is still possible for the owner to control the dog.  I don't know how the courts have interpreted this, but it could certainly be interpreted very widely.</p>
