Patrycja Siarek, a Toronto woman whose dog attacked and severely injured a nine-year-old child last year, was sentenced to one year in prison on Tuesday. In addition to the jail time, Siarek is banned from owning a dog for the next 10 years. She will also serve three years of probation with conditions, including not having care of or living with a dog, and must pay a $250 fine within two years.
With credit for the time already spent in custody, Siarek will serve 340 days in jail. Ontario Court Justice Miriam Bloomenfeld emphasized the severity of the offence, stating that only imprisonment could address the harm caused and Siarek’s responsibility in the attack. Justice Bloomenfeld described the attack as “extremely grave” and said the consequences of Siarek’s actions warranted a sentence that reflected the serious nature of the harm caused.
Siarek had pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm and failing to prevent a dog from biting a person under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act. The court heard that three years prior to the attack, Siarek had been issued a dangerous dog order due to previous biting incidents.
This order required her to muzzle the dog in public and avoid taking it to off-leash areas. However, on the day of the attack, Siarek took the dog to a fenced playground that was off-limits to dogs, removed its leash and muzzle, and allowed it to roam free while she played with a ball.
When a man and his son arrived at the playground, the dog charged at the child, pushed through an open gate, and latched onto the child’s leg. Despite attempts by both the boy’s father and Siarek to separate the dog from the child, the attack continued until the dog released its grip. The child was taken to the hospital for surgery, and due to concerns about the dog’s unknown vaccination status, the child also received a tetanus shot and rabies vaccinations.
Police later tracked Siarek down with help from a witness, and her three dogs were seized. The dog responsible for the attack was euthanized, while Siarek’s other dogs were rehomed. The child required multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery period, which disrupted his life and that of his family, the judge noted.
Justice Bloomenfeld acknowledged Siarek’s remorse and recognized her efforts to address substance abuse and mental health struggles, which the judge said were factors in her criminal conduct. Prosecutors had recommended a three-year prison sentence and a $250 fine, while the defence had argued for a conditional sentence served in the community.