Toronto Woman Sentenced After Dog Attack on Nine-Year-Old

A woman from Toronto has been sentenced to 340 days in jail following a serious incident in which her dog attacked a nine-year-old boy at Little Norway Park. Patrycja Siarek, 31, faced the court on charges of criminal negligence causing bodily harm and failing to prevent her dog from biting a person. The attack occurred on March 23, 2024, as the boy was playing in the park.

During the sentencing, Ontario Court Justice Miriam Bloomenfeld addressed Siarek, who had been out on bail. With emotion in her voice, Siarek affirmed her understanding of the sentence, which includes three years of probation and a 10-year ban on dog ownership. Moments later, she was handcuffed and taken into custody.

The incident unfolded when the boy and his father visited the park located at 659 Queens Quay W. to watch planes take off from the nearby Toronto Island Airport. As they approached the playground, they encountered Siarek and her dog, Capo, running off-leash in a fenced area. The dog charged at the boy, biting him in the upper hamstring and clinging to his leg for approximately two minutes. Despite attempts by the father to pry the dog off, the attack continued until the boy’s pants ripped free.

After the attack, Siarek fled the scene without providing assistance or information about the dog. The boy, whose identity is protected by a court order, was taken to Sick Kids Hospital for treatment, including surgery to repair a severe injury to his thigh. Following the incident, local police investigated and sought public assistance in identifying Siarek, who was arrested at her home the next day.

Authorities discovered three dogs at Siarek’s residence, including Capo, which was subsequently euthanized. The court learned that Capo had been involved in multiple previous biting incidents, and Siarek had previously been served with a “dangerous dog order” in December 2021. This order mandated that Capo be muzzled when outside her home.

In her remarks, Justice Bloomenfeld emphasized the traumatic impact on the victim, who faces a long recovery and significant physical and psychological scars. The judge acknowledged Siarek’s genuine remorse and her struggles with addiction and mental health issues. Despite this, she noted Siarek’s extensive criminal history, which includes 15 prior convictions for various offenses.

Siarek’s lawyer, Christopher O’Connor, sought a conditional sentence to be served in the community, arguing that Siarek had made progress in addressing her issues. However, Justice Bloomenfeld determined that community supervision would not adequately address the severity of the case or the need for public safety.

In delivering her judgment, Bloomenfeld highlighted the aggravating factors of the case, including Siarek’s disregard for the dangerous dog order and the vulnerability of the child victim. The judge concluded that only a period of incarceration could effectively respond to the seriousness of the conduct and the harm caused.

In addition to her jail sentence, Siarek received a $250 fine related to the Dog Owners’ Liability Act. Following her release, she will be subject to numerous probation conditions, including no contact with the victim or his family and mandatory counselling. Furthermore, she is prohibited from attending Little Norway Park and cannot have custody or care of any dog for the next ten years.

Assistant Crown Attorney Nathan Kruger argued for a more extended prison term, citing the need for deterrence and community safety, but the judge found such a sentence excessive. Ultimately, she deemed a 12-month sentence appropriate, granting Siarek credit for time served prior to sentencing.

This case underscores the critical importance of responsible pet ownership and compliance with legal regulations concerning potentially dangerous animals.