‘My dog is terrified’: East-end Toronto resident sounds alarm over bird cannons

Bird cannons scarring pets in east-end Toronto has some residents sounding the alarm (Left: TTC photo. Right: Newstalk1010 photo).

A resident in Toronto’s east end is speaking out about the use of so-called “bird cannons” to scare off seagulls, telling Newstalk 1010 that the constantly blaring horns have her dog “terrified to even leave the house.”

The TTC began using the horns at its Leslie Barns facility in 2024 but has not needed to sound the horns so far this year.

Ariella Kimmel, however, said that the horns are now being used by other businesses and that frequent blasts are “all across the east-end.”

“My dog is terrified to even leave the house,” she said. “Most days I have to literally drag her out and bribe her.”

In an email to CTV News Toronto, the TTC says it has not used the cannons in 2026, but emphasizes that they reserve the right to do so until the end of June.

Officials say one particular location, Leslie Barns, located at Leslie Street and Lakeshore Boulevard East attracts up 15,000 seagulls a year, noting that “large seagull population on the roof poses a notable health and safety concern for both TTC staff as well as the birds.”

‘Further stress’ for pets

Kimmel said the loud sounds has changed her dogs behavior, adding that fear escalates whenever they go outside.

“Even if I just say to her, Do you want to go for a walk? She starts shaking and is stressed out,” Kimmel noted. “Once we are out, if she hears that sound, it’s like she will try and take off and goes into further stress.”

The sounds were so loud that Kimmel said a friend of hers had to temporarily send her pet away following severe encounters.

“Her dog was literally not getting out of the bathtub, was shaking and was throwing up from how stressed she was getting,” she said.

TTC admits to minimal prior use

While no bird cannon have been used this year by the TTC, the transit agency says it’s aware that other properties in the area are also deploying the same technology.

Since 2024, officials at the TTC note that only two cannons have ever been used.

“The use of sound cannons has proven to be the most effective solution recommended by experts to address seagull overpopulation,” the agency said in an online post.

“The TTC has also worked with both a biologist and noise consultant to ensure the sound cannons are used safely, effectively and within provincial noise limits.”

Officials clarify that when the devices are used, two cannons could be activated up to four times daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. “at random intervals.”

A threat beyond pets

Kimmel says that the popular device is now being used by other businesses and that frequent blasts are becoming commonplace in her neighbourhood.

“The problem is that TTC started this, but then, because they were doing it, other businesses in the building and the area are doing it as well. Now it’s all across the east end.”

CTV News has reached out to the city for comment about other blasts throughout the community, but has yet to hear back.