Animal Control

The Town of Tecumseh wants to make sure that all residents with and without pets can enjoy their homes, parks and neighbourhoods.

To be a responsible pet owner, please understand and follow the local rules and regulations:

• Keep your pet on a leash at all times in public.
• Reduce barking, howling and whining at any time.
• Pick up after your dog at home and in public.
• Keep your dog indoors during severe weather on hot or cold days.
• Make sure your dog has food and water.
• Do not tether your dog more than 4 hours per day. The tether must be a minimum of 3 metres long.
• Do not allow your dog to be outside the passenger cab of a motor vehicle on a roadway.

Contact the following regarding issues with a dog or wild animal:

Bylaw enforcement

The Town of Tecumseh has the following by-laws for the care and control of animals:

• Bylaw 2003-91 - Dog Licensing and Control Bylaw (Bylaw 2017-61 Amendment)
• Bylaw 2005-43 - Removal of dog excrement on public property
• Bylaw 2002-07 - Noise bylaw

Dog licensing and fees

In case of emergency, a dog tag can be a lifeline with your dog. They allow us to contact dog owners about animal health and safety concerns and reunite dogs with their families. Licence fees support services such as animal control and leash-free dog parks.

All dogs in the Town of Tecumseh must have a valid dog tag. You can have 3 dogs per property. Dog tags can help locate a dog if they are lost or hurt. If you find a lost or injured dog, contact the Dog Control Officer at 519-562-1730.

If you no longer own a dog, please contact the Clerk's Office so we can update your records.

You must purchase a licence for your dog on or before March 31 each year. If you acquire a dog after March 31, you have 14 days from the acquire date to purchase a licence. The dog licence expires December 31 and you must renew it yearly.

You can complete the dog licensing application form and bring the form and your payment to Tecumseh Town Hall for processing.

Renewals and first time dog licensing applications can be paid (cash, cheque or debit only) in person at Town Hall or mailed. A night deposit box is located at the entrance of Town Hall for after-hours use. We do not have online payment at this time.

Kennel licensing and fees

If you own a dog kennel or wish to establish one, you must get a licence to operate from the Town. The kennel licence expires December 31 and you must renew it yearly.

You are required to complete a kennel licence application form if you wish to establish a kennel. Renewals and first time kennel applications can be paid (cash, cheque or debit only) in person at Town Hall or mailed. A night deposit box is located at the entrance of Town Hall for after-hours use. We do not have online payment at this time.

Dog pound

The Lakeshore Dog Pound takes in dogs that are running at large. The facility is located at 914 Puce Road, Emeryville. To contact the Pound, call 519-727-3073.

Poop and scoop

Bylaw 2003-91 and Bylaw 2005-43 require the removal of dog excrement from all public property. If you do not remove your pet's excrement, you could be fined up to $105.00.

Pit bull ownership

The Dog Owners' Liability Act assists in increasing public safety in relation to dogs, including pit bulls.

The Tecumseh OPP Detachment provides enforcement of the Dog Owners' Liability Act. Please contact 911 for assistance.

The Act includes the following

• Authorize the commencement of a proceeding against a dog owner where the dog poses a menace to the safety of persons or domestic animals, or against a person who contravenes the Act, the regulations made under the Act or a court order made under the Act.
• Adds to the orders that may or shall be made in those proceedings.
• Except as permitted by the Act or regulations under it, in relation to pit bulls, prohibits owning, breeding, transferring, abandoning, importing and training to fight.
• Provide an exception to the prohibition for "restricted pit bulls". These are pit bulls owned by an Ontario resident when the Bill came into force. Owners of restricted pits bulls must ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act and regulations relating to restricted pit bulls. These regulations include:
  • Leashing (less than 1.8 metres in length, of sufficient strength) and muzzling (humanely and sufficiently strong and well fitted to prevent biting) of restricted pit bulls.
  • Spaying or neutering of restricted pit bulls.
  • When kept within enclosed property, the property is enclosed in a way that can be relied on to prevent the pit bull from breaking out of the property.
• Provide for controls on pit bulls. The definition of "pit bull" includes:
  • a pit bull terrier
  • a Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • an American Staffordshire Terrier
  • an American Pit Bull Terrier
  • a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to dogs referred to in 1st and 4th bullet.
• Provide for offences and increased penalties (up to $10,000 and six months of imprisonment) for contravention of the Act, regulations, or orders.
• Provide for search and seizure of dogs under a warrant, in pressing circumstances or, in specified circumstances in a public place.
• Provide that, in a court proceeding in which it is alleged that a dog is a pit bull, the onus is on the owner of the dog to prove otherwise.
• Provide that where the owner of a pit bull is found to be in contravention of the Act, that pit bull must be ordered euthanized.
• Authorize the making of regulations respecting the control of pit bulls.

Wildlife rabies control information

The Government of Ontario website contains information about rabies in Ontario, and what to do if you think you have come into contact with rabies. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit also has information on rabies.

Livestock valuer

If livestock is killed by a dog or wild animal, the owner of the livestock may claim and be compensated for damages through the Town of Tecumseh. The Livestock Valuer appointed by the Town of Tecumseh will need to make an onsite visit to your property to assess the damage and loss of livestock. Please contact the Clerk's Department for the Livestock Valuer's contact information.