Dog attacks boy in midtown schooyard

A boy was seriously injured after an off-leash dog attacked him at Rawlinson Community School.

The incident occurred May 12 at around 6 p.m.

It is just one of several attacks from off-leash dogs in the schoolyard outside of school hours that range from “mild to very severe in nature,” according to a letter sent to parents in the community from the school’s principal, Lorelei Eccleston.

“I understand there are community members regularly allowing their dogs off leash in our schoolyard on evenings and weekends, which poses a potential threat to children and adults alike,” Eccleston said.

“I would like to urge all families to exercise extreme caution when in the vicinity of the schoolyard outside of school hours.”

Eccleston said that some of the incidents have been reported to police and Toronto Animal Services, and they are investigating as needed.

Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustee Alexis Dawson said via social media that the attack on the boy was “vicious” and landed the student in the hospital.

“No dogs on TDSB prop- erty, especially off leash!” she tweeted.

Local councillor Alejandra Bravo tweeted that letting dogs off leash in schoolyards is a “serious safety issue,” and she said in a statement to Post City that she has spoken with families in the community and will explore additional enforcement options with city staff and the TDSB. It is technically illegal to have dogs off leash outside of designated areas in Toronto.

Bravo highlighted in another tweet that Davenport, where Rawlinson Community School is located, has a “real shortage of parks and green space.”

“We’re exploring options for more dog off-leash areas,” she said. “But we need our kids to be safe. Dogs must be kept on a leash except in designated areas. My office is working with the community to support signs, flyers and education.”

Eccleston suggested some safety tips in her letter, recommending to always ask for permission from the owner before approaching a dog, to avoid direct eye contact with dogs as it can be interpreted as a challenge or threat, to back away slowly if a dog is growling or showing its teeth and to avoid sudden movement.

—Eric Stober

A community garden oasis was destroyed by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) staff, and local residents are angry.The once-stunning garden was created by Brian Gorrell and another resident of 133 Broadway Ave. Neighbourhood resident Tom Cohen, described it as “the only real human touch in that canyon of tall towers and full of the most whimsical sculptures and furnishings,” adding that Gorrell is not in good health and the city tore up his work on Feb. 7 while he was at an appointment with a doctor.

In a news article, a TCHC spokesperson said the removal was the result of fire hazards present and the use of indoor electrical extension cords.

Jane Auster, of the South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association, said that reasoning is “a bit rich since it was deep in winter time when there could not have been fire hazards present.”

Gorrell told a media outlet that he had not received a single complaint about the garden until January, when he received two letters from TCHC. “They never gave me any options. They never told me they would take the entire garden,” Gorrell commented.

The 133 Broadway building is an older, mid-rise rental near the corner of Redpath Avenue. Brian “Bry” Gorrell, is a 53-year-old artist for whom this garden became a passion project over a decade and with an estimated investment of more than $20,000.

“Building management never had any problems with the garden or complaints about it. In fact, probably quite the opposite, as this garden was a bright spot in the front of their building,” Auster said.

According to Auster, the uproar over what happened hqd grown steadily, especially since local councillor Josh Matlow flagged the incident.