Ontario city shutters dog park over concerns for potentially lethal soil contaminants
A dog park in the east end of Hamilton was recently closed by the city after a survey of the soil showed it may contain harmful contaminants that could be harmful to dogs, according to an update from city council.
The update said an investigation was launched last summer after an area resident told the city that they believed the soil at the Birch Avenue Leash-Free Dog Park had led to health conditions for dogs, including illness and death.
In January, an outside company completed soil sampling and analysis, which found issues with the soil. At that point, tests were done to determine risks to people before the city said it shut the park down out of an “abundance of caution” on Friday.
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“Recent testing has identified the presence of some contaminants, including heavy metals. While there is no indication of risk to humans, the potential effects on dogs require further investigation,” Cynthia Graham, director of environmental services with the city, said in an emailed statement.
The city did not say why it waited for further testing to close the park rather than chain it up in January when the initial test results arrived.
“We understand that dog owners who use this dog park may have concerns about the potential for soil contamination and the well-being of their pets. Please be assured that the City continues to prioritize the health and safety of both residents and their pets,” Graham said.
The dog park was opened in 2010 on a site that had been used as a disposal location for non-hazardous fill, including brick, rubble and concrete.
“When the park was established in 2010, staff reviewed background site studies and determined the soil met the environmental standards required at that time for park use,” Graham explained.
“In June 2025, the city received an expert opinion that common use of the site by humans, with the grass cover in place, poses no immediate risk to people. However, due to the natural wear in dog parks that can expose soil, further review is underway to assess potential impacts on dog health.”
Hamilton did not say how long the park will be closed for as it waits for the results of a detailed analysis focused specifically on dog health.
“Once that review is complete, the city will share the findings with council and the community, along with an action plan if any recommendations are provided,” Graham said.
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Spirits maker Diageo will cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., early next year, as it shifts some bottling volume to the U.S., the company announced on Thursday.
The facility, which bottles Crown Royal products, will close in February in a move aimed at improving its North American supply chain.
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About 200 jobs will be affected.
“This was a difficult decision, but one that is crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network,” Marsha McIntosh, Diageo’s president of North America supply, said in a statement.
Diageo said it will engage with the community and find ways to support its employees through the transition, and work alongside Unifor to assist unionized workers.
The company said it will still maintain a “significant” footprint in Canada — including its headquarters and warehouse operations in the Greater Toronto Area, and bottling and distillation facilities in Manitoba and Quebec.
McIntosh added the company’s Crown Royal products will continue to be mashed, distilled and aged at its Canadian facilities.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Toronto police say a 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly striking two men with his car Wednesday evening.
Officers say they responded to reports of a collision in the area of Don Mills Road and Gateway Boulevard in the city’s North York neighbourhood just before 10:30 p.m.
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Police say two men got into an argument, leading to one man getting into his car and hitting the other man with it.
They say the man then put his car into reverse, striking a second man.
A man in his 50s was transported to hospital with serious injuries and the second man, in his 20s, had minor injuries.
Police say the suspect from Markham, Ont., faces several other charges as well, including two counts of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and dangerous driving.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
A court document shows a Lindsay, Ont., man facing charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment was carrying a crossbow when he was confronted by a tenant.
The resident, Jeremy David McDonald, is also facing assault charges in the incident on Aug. 18 — a fact that has generated widespread interest in the case.
Police information filed in court alleges that Michael Kyle Breen damaged a window and screen at McDonald’s home and carried a crossbow.
The court document says the 41-year-old Breen is charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.
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Police have said that Breen, who is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing next week, was already wanted for unrelated offences.
McDonald, the 44-year-old resident, was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after he allegedly “did endanger the life” of Breen.
Premier Doug Ford blasted the decision to charge the apartment resident, saying last week that it shows “something is broken.”
Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Kirk Robertson wrote in a statement Wednesday that he recognizes the incident has generated significant public interest and “emotional” responses, but called some of the reaction “unjust and inaccurate.”
Robertson wrote that individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property, but the law requires that any defensive action be proportionate to the threat faced.
“This means that while homeowners do have the right to protect themselves and their property, the use of force must be reasonable given the circumstances,” he wrote.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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