Item - 2020.EC12.9

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1.  Directed the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to review the 2019 Annual Report from the Chair, Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal, and report as part of the broader review of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Animals, which is expected in the fourth quarter of 2020, on the feasibility of:

a.  implementing a reduced appeal fee for low-income households; and

b.  allowing the Tribunal to reassess a Dangerous Dog Order at a later date and rescind the Dangerous Dog Order designation.

The City of Toronto has the authority to issue a Dangerous Dog Order under the Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Animals. Dog owners who receive a Dangerous Dog Order, and do not agree, can appeal this designation to the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal (the Tribunal).

The Tribunal is a new adjudicative board and local board of the City of Toronto under the authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006. The Tribunal provides an independent review of Dangerous Dog Orders issued by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) under Section 349-15.1 of the 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.

Tribunal hearings are conducted in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, 1990 and the Tribunal's rules of procedure.

MLS issued 93 Dangerous Dog Orders in 2019. Of these, 17 Orders were appealed to the Tribunal.

In accordance with its governance structure, the Tribunal must submit an annual report on its work to the appropriate standing committee. Attached to this report is the Tribunal Chair's 2019 Annual Report.