Toronto woman who took dangerous dog to playground where it mauled child facing prison
A Toronto woman broke down in tears in court on Monday as she apologized for bringing her dangerous dog to a children’s playground, where it mauled a nine-year-old boy.
“I’m just really sorry. I never would want to hurt a child or anybody,” said Patrycja Siarek, 39, addressing Ontario Court Justice Miriam Bloomenfeld. “I feel horrible, and it’s my fault. I just hope that child is okay. I know it’s my fault Capo died. It’s a terrible thing.”
Siarek pleaded guilty earlier this year to criminal negligence causing bodily harm, along with two violations under the Provincial Offences Act, including failing to comply with the Dog Owners’ Liability Act and allowing a dog to run in a prohibited area.
According to Assistant Crown Attorney Nathan Kruger, the Crown is seeking a three-year prison sentence and a 10-year ban on owning dogs.
The attack took place on March 23, 2024, when Siarek brought her pit bull–type dog, Capo, to Little Norway Park, a fenced playground that explicitly banned dogs. At the time, Capo was under a dangerous dog order, requiring him to be muzzled and leashed at all times and barred from off-leash areas.
Kruger said Capo had been involved in three previous bite investigations by the City of Toronto. On the day of the attack, a nine-year-old boy approached the playground gate, which had been left open. Capo bolted toward the child and bit his leg, while Siarek and the boy’s father tried unsuccessfully to pull the dog off for nearly two minutes. When the dog finally released, Siarek left the scene without giving her name or offering help.
“She knew Capo was dangerous,” Kruger told the court. “She ignored multiple legal orders and chose to take him to a children’s play area without a leash or muzzle. Then she walked away after he attacked a child.”
Kruger called her actions “morally culpable” and emphasized that she endangered both the public and the dog.
At the time of the incident, Siarek was out on bail for a separate mischief charge. Her criminal record includes 15 prior convictions, including fraud, breaching court orders, and obstructing police.
Victim impact statements were submitted by the boy’s family but were not read aloud in court at their request for privacy. Kruger said the parents described the trauma of the attack and the child’s painful recovery, which required multiple surgeries.
“The child asked his parents, ‘Would it have been easier if I had just died?’” Kruger told the court. “It’s heartbreaking.”
He urged the judge to consider the severity of the injuries and the repeated warnings Siarek ignored. “Capo wasn’t responsible for what happened — Ms. Siarek was,” Kruger said.
Defense lawyer Christopher O’Connor acknowledged the tragedy but asked for a conditional sentence instead of jail time, saying Siarek is genuinely remorseful and has taken steps to turn her life around.
“She took the dog to the park to play fetch. There were no children there at the time,” O’Connor argued. “The gate was open, and the child approached. What happened next was not intentional.”
O’Connor said Siarek has battled addiction, anxiety, and depression, and that she was previously in an abusive relationship, during which Capo had tried to protect her and was sometimes beaten by her partner. He added that losing the dog deeply affected her.
“She loved her animals,” he said. “Sending her to jail would be a setback. Denunciation and deterrence can still be achieved through a conditional sentence.”
Justice Bloomenfeld will deliver her sentencing decision next month.
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