Toronto, Canada – A woman was arrested by Toronto police following a dog attack that left a child with life-altering injuries. The incident occurred on Saturday morning at Little Norway Park near Lake Shore Boulevard West and Bathurst Street. According to authorities, a woman was inside the playground area with an unleashed dog when a father and his child approached the area. The dog charged at the child through an open gate, biting and dragging the child to the ground.
Both the dog’s owner and the father attempted to get the dog to release the child, but the woman fled the park with her dog once the dog let go. The child sustained serious, life-altering injuries but they are reportedly not life-threatening. Following the incident, a search warrant was executed in the Fort York Boulevard and Bathurst Street area, near the park.
A 38-year-old woman, identified as Patrycja Siarek, was arrested in connection with the incident. She is facing multiple charges including criminal negligence causing bodily harm, failing to prevent a dog from biting or attacking, dog bite to a person, allowing a dog to run at large in a non-off-leash area, and ensuring a dangerous dog is muzzled when off the owner’s property. The dog involved in the attack was taken by Toronto Animal Services for further investigation.
The authorities are continuing to investigate the incident to determine the circumstances that led to the dog attack. The safety measures and regulations regarding dogs in public spaces are being reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any concerns regarding unleashed dogs in public areas to prevent potential dangers to children and other individuals.