Toronto woman arrested, charged after dog attacks 9-year-old boy in local playground

A Toronto woman has been arrested after her pet dog allegedly attacked a child at a local park over the weekend.

Patrycja Siarek, 38, was subsequently hit with a slew of charges, including criminal negligence, causing bodily harm, and failing to prevent a dog from biting or attacking under the Dog Owner's Liability Act.

According to CityNews, Toronto Police executed a search warrant at a home near Fort York Boulevard and Bathurst Street on Sunday. Siarek was taken into custody, and the dog was seized by Toronto Animal Services.

The incident in question took place shortly after 10 am on Saturday at a playground located within Little Norway Park. Despite numerous signs making it clear that no dogs are allowed in the playground area, Siarek was allegedly there with her pet. 

The dog is said to have run through an open gate before tackling a 9-year-old child to the ground and clamping its jaws down on his flesh.

The boy's father lept into action and, with Siarek's help, managed to free him from the canine's jaws. Once the two had been separated, however, Siarek and her dog fled the scene.

The boy was transported to a hospital with injuries described as "life-altering but non-life-threatening."

When authorities released a photo of Siarek and her dog on X, the community was quick to call out her actions, as well as those of other dog owners.

"This happened in the park my 6yo goes to often, And as I type this message we have at least 10 OFF LEASH DOGS on our school field," one user wrote. "We report it everyday and nothing gets done. We have dogs in grocery stores. Nothing done. We are frustrated!!"

Another user suggested that the incident shold be "treated as no different than a hit and run."