Description

The DogPatch is a city owned property who is looked after by The Humane Society of Canada on behalf of the City of Toronto. Over the past two to three years the dogpatch has been taken over by a number of dogwalkers, who appear to be running their businesses out of this fenced in area. When I started using the DogPatch approximately 10 years ago it was a lovely spot to take one or two dogs for a quiet and enjoyable walk. Today it is overrun by dogwalkers 6 or 7 at any time and at least 30 to 40 dogs. There is one dogwalker who has someone bringing vans full or dogs to drop off and pick up and she does this all day. The dogwalkers are completely irrresponsible and do not watch their dogs. They spend most of their time standing around chit-chating with each other. The dogs are completely ignored and left to fend for themselves. Usually the dogs will lie under trees or brush for some shelter since there is no water availalble. There is also an area which is filled with infested mud that never dries up and is a cesspool of who knows what type of parasites. There is one dogwalker who regularily comes with a dog in a wheelchair and the poor dog can barely move around and the walker just ignores the dog. I contacted the Humane Society of Canada and spoke with them last May about what is happening and they agree that dogwalkers are not permitted to run their business from their, but they don't know what to do. They have told the walkers not to come back but they don't care and keep coming back. I really hope you can do something about this. This property should also be under the control of By-Law Enforcement, but they don't come around either. The way these poor dogs are being treated by these walkers are a form of animal abuse. Most of the little dogs stand by the front gate crying to leave, because they are scared of the bigger dogs. Should you require additional information I can be reached at 416-423-1251.