Item - 2025.DG27.1

Tracking Status

DG27.1 - Review Hearing - John Spence - Appeal DDRT2023-11

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Confirmed
Wards:
All

Panel Decision

The the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal:

                      

1. Confirmed the determination of a dangerous dog, and directed that the conditions of the Order remain in effect, and that the Tribunal forward the reasons for this decision to John Spence, and his Counsel, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and their Counsel, on or before April 4, 2025.

Origin

(October 21, 2022) Tribunal appeal from Robert Spence, on behalf of John Spence

Summary

In accordance with Section 21 of the Rules of Procedure, the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal has granted a request for review and has ordered a review hearing to hear appeal DDRT2023-11 in whole.

Background Information

(October 24, 2022) Appeal of Dangerous Dog Order by Robert Spence, on behalf of John Spence
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/dg/bgrd/backgroundfile-249012.pdf
(October 9, 2022) Dangerous Dog Order
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/dg/bgrd/backgroundfile-249013.pdf
(November 15, 2023) Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal Written Decision - DDRT2023-11 (Item DG13.1)
(December 9, 2023) Request for Review from John Spence
(December 22, 2023) Request for Review Decision by Member Ron Balinsky, Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal
(March 20, 2025) Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal Written Decision DDRT2023-11 (Item DG27.1)

Communications

(April 21, 2023) Tribunal disclosure from Municipal Licensing and Standards (DG.Main.DG27.1.1)
(April 25, 2023) Tribunal disclosure from Robert Spence, Representative, on behalf of John Spence (DG.Main.DG27.1.2)
(April 27, 2023) Tribunal disclosure from Robert Spence, Representative, on behalf of John Spence (DG.Main.DG27.1.3)
(May 1, 2023) E-mail from Robert Spence, Representative, on behalf of John Spence (DG.Main.DG27.1.4)
(October 24, 2023) Tribunal disclosure from Robert Spence, Representative, on behalf of John Spence (DG.Main.DG27.1.5)
(April 24, 2024) E-mail from John Spence (DG.Main.DG27.1.6)
(May 2, 2024) E-mail from Municipal Licensing and Standards (DG.Main.DG27.1.7)
(May 15, 2024) Tribunal disclosure from Robert Spence on behalf of Elizabeth Stewart, Representative, on behalf of John Spence (DG.Main.DG27.1.8)
(May 29, 2024) Tribunal disclosure from Robert Spence on behalf of Elizabeth Stewart, Representative, on behalf of John Spence (DG.Main.DG27.1.9)
(August 28, 2024) Tribunal disclosure from Robert Spence on behalf of Elizabeth Stewart, Representative, on behalf of John Spence (DG.Main.DG27.1.10)
(August 28, 2024) Tribunal disclosure from Yelda Nuri, Representative, on behalf of Municipal Licensing and Standards (DG.Main.DG27.1.11)
(September 12, 2024) Tribunal disclosure from Yelda Nuri, Representative, on behalf of Municipal Licensing and Standards (DG.New.DG27.1.12)
(March 6, 2025) Tribunal disclosure from Municipal Licensing and Standards (DG.Main.DG27.1.13)
(March 6, 2025) Tribunal disclosure from Alexa Jarvis, Lenczner Slaght (DG.Main.DG27.1.14)
(March 6, 2025) Tribunal disclosure from Alexa Jarvis, Lenczner Slaght (DG.Main.DG27.1.15)
(March 19, 2025) Tribunal disclosure from Alexa Jarvis, Lenczner Slaght (DG.New.DG27.1.16)
(March 20, 2025) Tribunal disclosure from Madison Mackinnon, Lenczner Slaght (DG.New.DG27.1.17)

Speakers

Alexa Jarvis, Associate, Lenczer Slaght, on behalf of John Spence
Yelda Nuri, Articling Student, Toronto Legal Services, on behalf of Municipal Licensing and Standards
Jasmin Husain
Jeffrey Lam, Supervisor, Toronto Animal Services
John Spence

Motions

1A - Motion to Waive the Rules moved by Ron Balinsky (Carried)

That the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal:

 

1. Waive the rules to allow for the consideration of the late submission received March 20, 2025, from Alexa Jarvis, Lenczner Slaght, representative to John Spence under Appeal DDRT2023-11.


1B - Motion to Waive the Rules moved by Ron Balinsky (Carried)

That the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal:

 

1. Waive the rules to allow for the consideration of the late submission regarding a Factum of the appellant, received on March 19, 2025, from Alexa Jarvis, Lenczner Slaght, representative to John Spence, under file DDRT2023-11


2 - Motion to Meet in Closed Session moved by Ron Balinsky (Carried)

At 1:04 p.m. - That the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal recess its public session and meet in closed session to deliberate in private.


3 - Motion to Reconvene in Public Session moved by Matthew Brown (Carried)

At 1:13 p.m. - That the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal reconvene in public session.


4 - Motion to Meet in Closed Session moved by Matthew Brown (Carried)

At 2:45 p.m. - That the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal recess its public session and meet in closed session to deliberate in private.


5 - Motion to Reconvene in Public Session moved by Matthew Brown (Carried)

At 3:11 p.m. - That the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal reconvene in public session.


6 - Motion to Meet in Closed Session moved by Matthew Brown (Carried)

At 3:54 p.m. - That the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal recess its public session and meet in closed session to deliberate in private.


7 - Motion to Reconvene in Public Session moved by Nigel H. Waterman (Carried)

At 4:17 p.m. - That the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal reconvene in public session.


8 - Motion to Confirm Order moved by Matthew Brown (Carried)

That the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal:

                      

1. Confirm the determination of a dangerous dog, and direct that the conditions of the Order remain in effect, and that the Tribunal forward the reasons for this decision to John Spence, and his Counsel, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and their Counsel, on or before April 4, 2025.

Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council