Minutes - Aurora Appeal Tribunal - 20220629 1
Town of Aurora
Aurora Appeal Tribunal
Hearing Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
6 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Tom Plamondon (Chair)
Steven D'Angeli
Linda Duringer
Daniel Lajeunesse
David Mhango
Other Attendees: Lindsay Clarke, Supervisor, Animal Services
Janine Weldon, Animal Services Officer (Town Case Presenter)
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Jaclyn Grossi, Deputy Town Clerk
Mengchen Zhang, Appellant
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the Hearing to order at 6:06 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Tribunal acknowledged that the Hearing took place on the Anishinaabe
lands, the traditional and Treaty #20 territories of the Chippewas of Georgina
Island, recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to
this day, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of this
land. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of
the Credit, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
2
Moved By Daniel Lajeunesse
Seconded By Linda Duringer
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Appeals for Consideration
5.1 710 Harry Douglas St - Training Orders - Animal Services By-law No. 6197-
19
The Chair provided an overview of the Hearing procedures. The Town’s
Case Presenter was sworn in, followed by the Appellant before presenting
his evidence.
Janine Weldon, the Town's Case Presenter, presented exhibits supporting
their position that the Appellant’s dogs, Wangcai and Laifu, have acted
aggressively before, and during the altercation in question bit Woody, the
victim dog. The Case Presenter further mentioned it is not clear which dog
bit Woody and asked the Tribunal to uphold the Training Orders for both
dogs.
The Appellant provided his account of the altercation, noting that he
objected to the times provided in the witness statement. He noted his
disagreement with receiving the Training Orders from Town staff without
having had a chance to provide his witness statement. Lastly, the
Appellant noted that the victim dog and its owner both played a role in
antagonizing his dogs.
The Town’s Case Presenter and the Appellant provided closing remarks.
The Town’s Case Presenter requested that the Training Orders be upheld.
The Appellant requested that the Training Orders be rescinded.
The Tribunal recessed the Hearing to deliberate at 7:51 p.m. and
reconvened the Hearing at 8:13 p.m.
3
Decision
1. That the Appeal Tribunal finds that the evidence presented in the victim and
appellant statements is materially consistent in the key elements of the dog-
on-dog bite; and
2. That the applicant’s objections concerning the witness statement are upheld;
and
3. That the issuance of the Training Orders of the Town was warranted and, as
such, the Training Orders are upheld.
6. Adjournment
Moved By David Mhango
That the Hearing be adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
Carried