1

Vandalism in the Don Valley was an ongoing concern for local citizens.

2

Boys chopping wood in the Don Valley
1955
Don Valley, Toronto

3

By the 1950s, much of the natural vegetation of the Valley had been destroyed by youths chopping trees and branches to make hockey sticks or to build shacks.

In 1952, an anti-vandalism campaign was launched under the leadership of Stan Wadlow. Letters discussing the damage caused by reckless chopping of trees and the illegal dumping of garbage in the Valley were read to all the pupils of local schools.

The Don Valley Conservation Association paid retired pensioners to patrol the Valley during school holidays, peak periods for acts of vandalism.

4

Rand Freeland and his dog
1960
Don Valley, Toronto

5

Illegal hunting in the Don Valley also contributed to declining populations of indigenous birds and animals.

Goverment-appointed game wardens patrolled the Valley, seizing firearms, well into the 1960s.

Tor was the first dog in Ontario be recognized officially as an assistant game warden. The Great Dane was trained by a professional handler and patrolled the Valley with his owner Rand Freeland, the proprietor of Fantasy Farm.

In 1963, during a one-week period, Tor participated in the seizure of 50 forbidden weapons, mostly rifles and air guns.

Later that year, in recognition of Tor's services, Deputy Minister Frank A. MacDougall presented the Great Dane with an official warden's badge - No. 3 - at a ceremony at Queen's Park.