A woman in Toronto has been sentenced to three years in prison after her dog, Kapo, attacked a 9-year-old boy at Little Norway Park, where dogs are prohibited. Patricia Siarek’s dog had previously been investigated for biting incidents and was expected to wear a muzzle. However, she allowed Kapo to roam off-leash, leading to the attack while the child was with his father.
The dog reportedly bit the boy’s leg for about two minutes before releasing him. Police managed to identify Siarek following a tip, although video footage showed her fleeing the scene without revealing her identity.
In court, Siarek expressed regret, saying, “I feel terrible, it’s my fault. I feel so bad. I’m so sorry, but I hope he’s okay.” She pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm. During her testimony, she acknowledged the dog’s dangerous nature and accepted responsibility for his actions. Her attorney argued that there were no children nearby when she began playing fetch with Kapo.
Assistant Prosecutor Nathan Krueger urged the court to impose a three-year prison sentence and prohibit Siarek from owning dogs for a decade. He noted that the child required surgery due to the attack and even questioned if it would have been easier for him to die.
Krueger stated, “She knew that Capo was dangerous… she put the public in a very dangerous situation.” At the time of the incident, Siarek was also out on bail for other offenses, including fraud and obstructing a police officer. The dog was described to resemble a pit bull.
The judge indicated that a decision regarding Siarek’s sentencing would be postponed until next month.
