Two Oshawa mothers are demanding answers after a violent dog attack left both women injured and a four-year-old girl seriously hurt.
The incident occurred on January 13 as Kayla Silva and her daughter, Ryleigh, were heading to the nearby home of family friend Tejanna Desiree and her two-year-old son. As they approached the townhouse, two dogs ran out from a neighbouring unit and attacked the child, biting her in the face and arms. Silva was injured while trying to shield her daughter, and Desiree was also bitten when she rushed outside to help pull the dogs away.
Ryleigh was taken to hospital, where she required eight stitches to her face and treatment for multiple bite wounds, including puncture marks close to her eye and injuries to her upper arm. Both women say the emotional impact of the attack has been severe.
Emergency crews responded just before 5 p.m., and paramedics transported the injured to hospital. Durham Regional Police confirmed officers attended the scene.
About a week later, an Oshawa bylaw officer issued an animal control order to the dogs’ owners. The order identifies the animals as American bulldogs and requires them to be leashed and muzzled in public spaces, though they are allowed to be unmuzzled while on their owners’ property.
The mothers question whether those measures are sufficient, noting the dogs escaped from a private residence and that no official warning signage is posted at the home. A sign outside the unit makes light of aggressive dogs but does not reference any formal animal control restrictions. A man at the residence had denied any attack occurred and refused further comment.
Local councillor Jim Lee said he is reviewing how the case was handled and wants to be informed once the investigation concludes. He also indicated support for stronger measures for owners of dangerous dogs, pointing to Toronto’s stricter rules, which include mandatory warning signs, a public registry, and significant fines for non-compliance.
Desiree says authorities should have immediately removed the dogs following such a severe incident, arguing public safety should take precedence. Until further action is taken, she says she is taking her own precautions to protect her child in case the dogs escape again.