Item - 2023.DG8.4

The Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal adopted the following amendments to the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal Rules of Procedure with such amendments to take effect no later than September 1, 2023:

1. Amended the definition of "Confirmation of Hearing Request" by deleting the words "Executive Director" and replacing it with the words "Tribunal Secretary" so that it reads:

“Confirmation of Hearing Request”: Acknowledgement of receipt by the Tribunal Secretary of the dog owner’s notice in writing requesting a hearing, which is submitted in accordance with section 349-16 of Chapter 349.

2. Amended the definition of "Tribunal Secretary" by adding the words "processes appeals" so that it reads:

"Tribunal Secretary": the City Clerk or designate who processes appeals, sets meeting times, dates and locations, records the minutes of the meeting, distributes agenda material, keeps the records of the Tribunal and provides procedural advice.

3. Amended Rule 3.2 by deleting the words "Executive Director" and replacing it with the words "Tribunal Secretary" so that it reads:

As required by section 349-16C of Chapter 349, the notice described in Rule 3.1 must be mailed or delivered to the Tribunal Secretary within thirty (30) days after a copy of an order to comply is served on the owner.

4. Amended Rule 12.4 by deleting "15" and replacing it with "30" so that it reads:

If quorum is lost during a hearing, the hearing is adjourned for up to 30 minutes or until quorum is present, whichever is sooner. If there is still no quorum present after 30 minutes, the Tribunal Secretary records the names of the members who heard the hearing and the hearing shall be adjourned to the next scheduled hearing date where the same members will be present, or to a special hearing date where the same members will be present which is called for that purpose. Any unfinished business shall be carried forward to the next scheduled hearing date. If it is not possible to have the same members present at a subsequent hearing date, the hearing shall be scheduled for a new hearing date and the hearing shall recommence as a hearing de novo.

5. Deleted Rule 19.6 and replaced it with:

Other persons interested in viewing a copy of the decision and written reasons may request a copy through the Tribunal Secretary.

The purpose of this report is to recommend amendments to the Rules of Procedure for the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal. 

The proposed amendments will reflect the transfer of the appeal filing process from Toronto Animal Services to the Tribunal Secretary/City Clerk's Office, and extend the time to regain quorum to 30 minutes.

This report was prepared in consultation with Legal Services.