According to an analysis of Ottawa’s 311 service, the city received 485 reports for dog bites in 2021 up until the end of September. That is 50 more reports than the same period in 2020 and the highest count in at least six years when Open Ottawa data started specifying dog bite calls, according to the analysis.
Dog trainers and the city’s bylaw director say the reason for the increase is more adopted puppies during the COVID-19 pandemic and the quick transition from isolation to socialization.
“I think there’s a lot of very young dogs around that haven’t necessarily been provided exposure to normal non-COVID life,” says Heather Laundry, owner of Carolark in Stittsville.
Urban and suburban wards saw some of the highest counts and increases in dog bites from 2020. Rideau-Vanier and Rideau-Rockliffe wards had the most reports while Barrhaven and Somerset wards had the largest increases.
“When you’re walking down an urban sidewalk, everything coming in the opposite direction is headed right at you,” says Laundry. “It’s louder, there’s more traffic, (and) everything is closer together.”
In some cases, residents report an incident multiple times, which means each complaint does not represent an individual dog, according to Roger Chapman, director of bylaw and regulatory services for the City of Ottawa.
Pet behaviour expert Ingrid Van Overbeke says she mostly sees fear-based aggression from dogs in most cases.
“The dog bites because they have very high stress levels, and they have the feeling they need to go to the bite because that’s the only thing that’s helping them,” she says.
It’s been busier as a result for Van Overbeke and her one-person company, Pet Counsellor. Most of her appointments are for behavioural training.
“Once there is a bite, people panic a little bit,” Van Overbeke says. “Then they think, ‘Oh we really need help to work on this issue.’”
Van Overbeke says she’s seen more people adopting puppies and rescue dogs as a companion during the COVID-19 pandemic. So has Laundry who says she’s mostly busy running puppy training programs.
Dogs lacked those simpler moments during non-pandemic times where they could explore their curiosity with new people and environments at an easier pace.
“Two years ago, if I was going to the pet store to get pet food and I had time to do it, I would’ve taken a dog with me,” Laundry says. “We would’ve sniffed the store and then picked up our food and gone home.”
Ottawa bylaw investigates reports of dog bites to determine the severity, says Chapman. The usual scenario is to fine the owner and order the dog to wear a muzzle and leash when outside of the residence, he says.
In cases with more severe bites or repeat offences, bylaw officers may apply to the Ontario Court of Justice for the dog to be euthanized.
“The apparent increase in requests for service relating to dog bites could be attributed to increased pet adoption rates during the COVID pandemic,” Chapman said in an email, agreeing with the dog trainers.
The trainers say it’s important for owners to understand their dog’s body language and realize when they are uncomfortable in a social situation. There are many minor signs of discomfort that dog trainers recognize, including tension in the face, panting, and a tail wagging high and quickly.
“I see that a lot of dog owners don’t recognize these stress signals and then the dog escalates, goes higher and higher in stress level, and then at a certain point, you get that bite,” says Van Overbeke.