Woman arrested in dog attack that injured child at Toronto park

Toronto police say a woman has been arrested and faces several charges after her dog attacked and seriously injured a child at a park over the weekend.

On Saturday at approximately 10:15 a.m., police responded to a call for an animal complaint at Little Norway Park.

Reportedly, a woman was inside the playground area with an off-leash dog when a father and his child approached the playground. The dog charged toward the child through an open gate, biting and dragging the child to the ground.

The woman and the child’s father attempted to get the dog to release the child, and once the dog did, the woman fled northbound out of the area with her pet.

Paramedics transported a 9-year-old child to the hospital with serious injuries. Police called the child’s injuries life-altering but non-life-threatening.

Authorities executed a search warrant at a residence in the Fort York Boulevard and Bathurst Street area on Sunday, and a woman was arrested.

She was identified as 38-year-old Patrycja Siarek of Toronto. The woman faces several charges, including criminal negligence causing bodily harm, failing to prevent a dog from biting or attacking under the Dog Owner’s Liability Act and other similar offences.

She was released from custody on a number of conditions including not to own or have any animals and not be within 50 metres of any park. During the hearing, she appeared to be crying and asked,” So I’m not getting my dogs back?” The judge responded, “Were you not paying attention?”

She then agreed to the conditions.

The dog has been seized by Toronto Animal Services and is no longer an active threat to the public.