A man from Mississauga is urging e-scooter riders to avoid using sidewalks after his dog was seriously injured in a collision earlier this week.

Man urges e-scooter riders to avoid sidewalks after dog injured in Mississauga

Leia enjoys meeting other dogs, so they stopped. She was on the grass, having just moved from Matt’s right side to his left.
“I always keep her on a short leash, especially around other dogs,” Matt explained. “She usually stays within about a foot of me.”

Suddenly, a girl on an e-scooter came speeding down the sidewalk and ran over Leia.
“The e-scooter rider just barreled right into her… Leia yelped in pain,” Matt said.

The girl, who appeared to be about 12 years old, looked horrified and kept apologizing. Matt asked her to refrain from riding the e-scooter on the sidewalk.

Shortly after, a man—possibly the girl’s father—also on an e-scooter, approached and asked what had happened. Matt said he was less patient with the adult.
“I shouldn’t have to worry about motorized vehicles on a sidewalk,” he said.

Leia, a nearly two-year-old Italian Greyhound mix, was bleeding heavily, and Matt rushed her to Credit Landing Animal Hospital, where she received excellent care.

She had multiple cuts on both paws, with much of the padding torn from her left paw. X-rays showed no broken bones, but she was prescribed painkillers and antibiotics.

Matt now faces a hefty vet bill.
“There are no consequences for them, but my poor dog can’t walk, and I’m stuck with $2,500 in vet expenses,” he said.

Matt shared his experience on Reddit to warn others and reached out to local councillor Stephen Dasko, but there’s little else he can do.

In Mississauga, e-scooters are prohibited on sidewalks, though complaints about sidewalk riding have increased since the city launched a rental program last year. Riders are allowed on roads with speed limits up to 50 km/h, multi-use trails, and bike lanes—but not on sidewalks or city park trails.

Matt has had several close calls before this incident.
“I’ve already had three or four near-misses since getting Leia,” he said.

He’s not against e-scooters but wants to raise awareness of the risks.
“This is a reminder for dog owners to stay alert, and a plea to e-scooter users to think responsibly and show respect,” Matt said. “My dog means everything to me, and it’s heartbreaking that she has to go through this because someone didn’t care.”