Toronto, ON – A Toronto man has been arrested and is facing charges in connection with a brutal dog attack on a woman at an Etobicoke bus stop in early February. The victim, Anita Browne, 54, sustained life-altering injuries during the incident. Toronto police informed Browne of the arrest on Friday morning, providing some relief to the victim.
The arrested individual, Ali Ismael Stanley, 36, faces multiple charges including three counts of dog biting, two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and disobeying a lawful court order. Despite the arrest, the dogs involved in the attack have yet to be located, adding to the ongoing investigation.
According to Browne, on February 7th, she was waiting at a bus stop in the area when two unrestrained large dogs, suspected to be pit bull terriers, menaced her. The dogs aggressively approached Browne, growling before viciously attacking her as she tried to defend herself with a shopping cart. The assault resulted in Browne being dragged to the ground, sustaining severe injuries that required medical attention.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the dogs also targeted a cyclist and attempted to attack a resident in their yard, before moving towards a TTC Wheel-Trans driver and three passengers. Quick thinking by the driver prevented further harm by securing the vehicle’s doors as the dogs approached.
Following the attack, images of a potential suspect and the two dogs were released by the police, urging the public to come forward with any helpful information. Browne, a resident of North York, expressed relief at the arrest but continues to struggle with the aftermath of the attack, facing financial challenges due to her injuries preventing her from working.
The impact of the incident extends not only to Browne but also to her daughter and sister, who have taken on caretaking responsibilities. Browne’s recovery process includes upcoming surgery to repair her arm, crucial for her ability to work. The incident has forced Browne to rely on the support of others, a situation she finds unfamiliar but necessary for her current circumstances.