A Toronto woman is facing the consequences for a devastating act of negligence that left a child seriously injured. Patrycja Siarek has been sentenced to a year in jail and a decade-long ban on dog ownership, a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with owning a powerful animal.
The sentence, handed down by an Ontario judge, reflects the gravity of the situation and Siarek’s direct role in the attack. The judge stated that only imprisonment could adequately address the severity of the offense and the level of accountability required.
Siarek previously entered a guilty plea to criminal negligence causing bodily harm, alongside a violation of the provincial Dog Owners’ Liability Act for failing to prevent a dog bite. The details revealed a pattern of disregard for safety and a conscious decision to put others at risk.
Despite a prior court order mandating her dog wear a muzzle in public, Siarek chose to bring the animal to a playground specifically prohibiting dogs. There, she removed both the leash and the muzzle, creating a dangerous and ultimately tragic scenario.
With credit for time already served, Siarek is expected to spend 340 days incarcerated. In addition to her jail time and the ownership ban, she will also be subject to three years of probation with strict conditions.
These conditions include a prohibition against living with or caring for any dog during her probationary period, and a $250 fine must be paid within the next two years. The case serves as a sobering lesson about the potential consequences of irresponsible pet ownership.
