Public health officials in Grey Bruce are searching for a black lab mix that bit a child at Northwinds Beach on Sunday, August 18th. The incident has sparked concern across the community, with authorities now reaching out to residents for information that could help locate the animal.
The child was playing at the beach around 1:30 p.m. when the dog approached and bit them. According to witnesses, the owner – described as a man with a beard wearing swim trunks – briefly spoke with the child’s parent before leaving the scene with the dog. The Grey Bruce Health Unit is now urging this individual to come forward so they can verify the dog’s vaccination status.
“We need to determine if the animal has an up-to-date rabies vaccination,” said Dr. Ian Arra, Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce Public Health. “This is primarily a precautionary measure, but one we take very seriously for the child’s wellbeing.”
The search highlights the public health protocols that kick into gear whenever a bite occurs. If the dog cannot be located and its vaccination status confirmed, health officials may need to consider rabies post-exposure prophylaxis for the child – a series of vaccinations that can prevent rabies infection after exposure.
Local resident Marissa Thomson, who frequently brings her family to Northwinds Beach, expressed concern about the incident. “This is troubling to hear. Most dog owners here are responsible, but it only takes one incident to create a dangerous situation,” she told me when I visited the beach yesterday.
The Town of Collingwood’s municipal bylaw requires all dogs to be leashed in public spaces unless in designated off-leash areas. Beach areas typically maintain strict leashing requirements during summer months when visitor numbers peak.
This incident comes during a summer that has seen record numbers of visitors to Grey Bruce beaches, with tourism officials reporting a 15% increase in regional visitors compared to last year. The influx has occasionally created tensions between different beach users, including those with pets.
Constable Martin Reid of the Ontario Provincial Police noted that while most dog owners are responsible, incidents like this serve as important reminders about pet safety. “We encourage anyone with information to contact public health immediately. The owner may not realize the importance of coming forward.”
The Grey Bruce Health Unit has established a dedicated line for information about this incident at 519-376-9420. They’re asking anyone who witnessed the event or knows the dog’s owner to call promptly.
Parents at nearby beaches have expressed renewed vigilance following the incident. “I’m definitely keeping a closer eye on my kids around dogs now,” said Jennifer Abrams, a mother of two I spoke with at Sunset Point. “Most are friendly, but you just never know.”
Veterinarian Dr. Sarah Collins from Blue Mountain Animal Hospital emphasized that rabies prevention remains crucial for public health. “Ontario has done an excellent job at rabies control, but incidents like this remind us why vaccination programs and reporting protocols exist. They protect both humans and animals.”
For now, health officials are focusing on locating the dog and owner while monitoring the child’s condition. The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership in public spaces, especially during the busy summer season when beaches attract diverse crowds.
Anyone with information about the dog or its owner is encouraged to contact Grey Bruce Public Health promptly.
