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 email the Clerk's Office so we can update your records.

You must purchase a licence for your dog on or before September 30, 2020. If you acquire a dog after September 30th, 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 (form will be available December 1, 2020 for 2021) 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.

Fees

$20.00 per dog - January 1 to September 30, 2020,

$35.00 per dog - October 1 to December 31, 2020,

$10.00 per dog - replacement tag,

No charge for seeing eye dog/hearing ear dog or for the transfer of licence.

Please see the following by-laws on our Frequently Requested By-Laws page of the website.  

• 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 

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. Kennels cannot be located in areas zoned residential.  You must ensure that your property is properly zoned for the location of a kennel.  Please verify with the Planning Department at 519-735-2184, ext. 123. 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.

Fees

$100.00 - January 1 to September 30, 2020

$125.00 - October 1 to December 31, 2020

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. Please note:  Currently the dog pound is closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

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.
• Provides 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.
• Provides for offences and increased penalties (up to $10,000 and six months of imprisonment) for contravention of the Act, regulations, or orders.
• Provides for search and seizure of dogs under a warrant, in pressing circumstances or, in specified circumstances in a public place.
• Provides 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.
• Provides 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.