Police have made an arrest in an off-leash dog attack in Toronto, which left another small dog dead and injured its owner.
Toronto police provided the update hours after issuing a warning about an “abandoned off-leash dog” following an incident Tuesday afternoon near Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue West.
Police said the larger dog, described as a brown pit bull mix, attacked a smaller dog and its owner without provocation.
The smaller dog was killed and the owner sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
In a video obtained by CTV News, the larger dog is seen walking ahead of its owner without a leash, then charging towards the smaller dog. The smaller dog is being walked by an owner who appears to be pushing a stroller.
A witness said the owner of the dog that attacked “punched” their pet multiple times to get it off the other dog.
“It was just terrible,” the witness, who asked not to be identified, told CP24. “The owner had the dog by the collar. Didn’t have a leash, just a collar, and he was whacking the dog two or three times…and the kids were there screaming, and the woman, she was on the ground.”
In a news release on Wednesday afternoon, police announced that they arrested 40-year-old Mohamoud Abdiwa Ahmed.
He has been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, obstruction of a peace officer, and obstructing, interrupting, or interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property.
Ahmed is also facing two additional charges under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act.
Police said the dog that attacked has not been found and that they’re working with animal services to locate it.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-1200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
