HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 21, 2024 Page 1 of 5
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Animal Services Appeal Committee
February 21, 2024
Electronic Meeting 1:30 pm
Attendees: S. Frost (Committee Member)
T. Yan (Committee Member)
Councillor S. Butt (Committee Member) I. Monaru (Appellant) T. DesLauriers (Witness) N. Florio, Animal Services Officer
J. Hayden, Supervisor, Licensing & Enforcement
J. Litoborski, Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement Services (Staff Liaison) A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
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1. Call to Order
J. Litoborski called the Meeting to order and provided an overview of the Appeal Hearing process.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Appeal Hearings
3.1 Order to Restrain Appeal Order No. OTR 2024-01 Ilean Monaru, “Nova”
N. Florio, Animal Services Officer made a statement to the Committee. Mr. Florio spoke to the complaint he received from T. DesLaurier on January 2, 2024 that her dog Coco, a small poodle type dog had
been bitten by Nova, a husky type dog at J.
McPherson Park on January 31, 2023. N. Florio explained that it had been reported that Nova ran and caught Coco upon Coco’s entry into
the park. Mr. Florio explained that Nova was
reportedly on a long leash, approximately 20 feet in length, which the owner I. Monaru did not have
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proper control of. He stated that the bite resulted in a groin wound to Coco that required several sutures to close and medication to prevent infection.
N. Florio indicated that a Witness Statement was provided to Animal Services by T. DesLaurier and that an Order to Restrain was issued to I. Monaru pertaining to Nova on January 5, 2024. Mr. Florio
also stated that a charge for allow animal to bite was issued, and noted the conditions of the Order to Restrain. T. DesLaurier (Witness) provided a statement to the
Committee. Ms. DesLaurier explained that this had been the second incident where her dog Coco was attacked by I. Monaru’s dog Nova. Ms. DesLaurier explained that upon coming through
the catwalk to J. McPherson Park, Nova came running after Coco, Coco became unleashed while trying to run away from Nova, and that Nova picked Coco up “like a toy”. She continued her statement stating that Coco was then dropped by Nova and
then picked up again, this time injuring Coco’s groin area. Ms. DesLaurier spoke to the distress she experienced and explained that she was eventually
able to pick Coco up off of the ground. She expressed concern that Nova was on a long leash (approximately 20 ft. in length) and the owner did not have control over the dog. She expressed further concerns regarding the park being
frequented by children and that she believed that her dog could have been killed if it was not wearing a jacket. Ms. DesLaurier continued her statement explaining
that she exchanged contact information with I. Monaru and that upon returning home and examining Coco, she discovered the groin injury. She stated that Coco was taken to a veterinary clinic where the injury was treated and that I.
Monaru paid the bill for the initial visit. Ms. DesLaurier stated that she contacted City of Pickering Animal Services to make a report.
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Ms. DesLaurier indicated that she took Coco to the veterinary clinic again for a follow up appointment at
a later date and that Coco required further treatment for the wound. She stated that she informed I. Monaru of the cost of that visit and treatment, and that I. Monauru expressed concern that Animal Services had been contacted.
A question and answer period ensued between the Committee and Ms. DesLaurier regarding:
• The first incident between Nova and Coco that
occurred approximately 2 years ago;
• the prevalence of large dogs and their owners using J. McPherson Park as an off-leash area;
• the injury that Ms. DesLaurier sustained when running to nearby rock with Coco trying to escape from Nova. I. Monaru (Appellant) provided a statement to the
Committee. Ms. Monaru spoke to the first incident between Nova and Coco explaining that Nova was a puppy that was off-leash and had jumped on Coco in a playful manner. She explained that Ms. DesLaurier became upset and that Nova was then
put on a leash. Ms. Monaru explained that Nova has never posed a threat to humans and that because she is a Husky that she come on strong towards other dogs. She explained that her and other dog owners let their dogs run in the park and that Nova
is usually on a longer leash given that she is a Husky. She explained that the latest incident occurred when she was with Nova by the catwalk and that she was both holding and stepping on her dog’s leash. Ms. Monaru explained that when she
saw Ms. DesLaurier, she panicked and attempted to grab a firmer hold of the leash. Ms. Monaru indicated that Coco often barks at Nova, and that while that is no excuse, she said this was simply an unfortunate incident. She explained that she paid
the initial bill from the veterinary clinic and reiterated that Nova had never been a aggressive towards other dogs, people or children. She further explained that she has full control of
Nova and that she is on a short leash when not in the park. She indicated that she does not believe
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Nova should be required to be muzzled. A question and answer period ensued between
the Committee, Ms. Monaru, and Ms. DesLaurier regarding:
• clarification regarding the approximate size and weight of Nova and Coco;
• whether Coco has always been on-leash;
• whether Nova or Coco have had negative encounters with other animals;
• clarification regarding how far I. Monaru was from Nova during the first incident;
• the 50 ft. leash used for Nova in the park;
• clarification regarding how tall I. Monaru is;
• the park not being a designated off-leash dog area;
• Nova being approximately 6 months old at the time of the first incident;
• clarification as to why I. Monaru would not pay
the bill for the subsequent treatment for Coco.
Moved by Councillor Butt Seconded by T. Yan
That the Committee move in camera for deliberation.
Carried The Committee took a brief pause to allow the
livestream of the Meeting to be severed.
Note: This portion of the meeting was closed to the public. Refer to the In Camera meeting minutes for further information. [City Clerk has
custody and control of the In Camera minutes.]
The Committee took a brief pause to allow the livestream of the Meeting to be resumed.
J. Litoborski stated that the Committee had
deliberated and had made a decision to uphold the Order to Restrain as issued. He stated that the Committee’s decision is final and binding and that a written decision will be issued to the appellant
by the end of the week.
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4. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Butt Seconded by S. Frost
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 2:32 pm
For more information regarding the Animal Services Appeal Committee, please contact:
City of Pickering By-law Enforcement Services 905-420-4660bylaw@pickering.ca